
Class jiSjf3_0 

Book jT* -?--.— 
Copyright If 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT, 



Rubies and Diamonds 



BY 



W. GRANT FRITZ, 



Missionary to Ecuador, S. A., and Philippine Islands. 



V» 



PUBLISHED BY W. GRANT FRITZ. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 

190S. 



LIBRARY of CONUKE33 
I wo Copies rieceiva. 

JUN 13 1908 

f\04A (3 iqoS 
QUStf/A AXo. Mu 

I ^<&M 






Copyright. 1908. 

BY W. GRANT FRITZ, 

Milwaukee, Wis. 



DEDIGATION. 



The writer was a stranger in a western city, and was 
over a thousand miles from home, and lying sick in a big hotel in 
which many people were coming and going. One morning when 
convalescent, a stranger, a traveler from the east, came into the 
room. He was tall, wore long silvery hair, and a snow-white 
beard. He grasped my hand very sympathetically and stroked my 
brow as tenderly as a father might. After the usual salutation, 
said, "My son, are you a Christian? Have you accepted Jesus for 
your Savior, Friend and Lord?" 

In fact I had been running from these two questions for a 
whole year, believing that some" of my own plans would be spoiled, 
not knowing that God's plans were better and surer. There was 
no time for running away. He brought me face to face with Etern- 
ity. He told me that I was robbing God (see Mai. 3:8) by with- 
holding my love from him, my obedience to his laws, my gratitude, 
my humble reliance, my time and service. And in robbing God I 
was only robbing myself. 

Minutes seemed like hours just then. Somehow I wished he 
hadn't come in. The stranger knelt and prayed for the young man. 
I had learned to say the "Our Father" like a machine, but now he 
asked me to pray out of my heart. It was hard work, and seemed 
like a very poor make-out indeed ; but it was the beginning of Etern- 
ity with God, and a great day in my life. I have found out since 
that it was a great day in heaven, too. Luke 15 \J. 

He came and went ; his name is still unknown, and may be he 
has forgotten it. Many years have now passed. If I could meet 
him now to tell him of the struggles and victories all along the way, 
and how much better God's ways are than my own. Some day I 
shall. When I shall have placed my crowns and praises at Jesus' 
feet and have found my father and mother, I shall set out to find this 
dear man. Somehow I shall know him. Whatever good may have 
been done of my 65,000 miles of travel around this earth in Gospel 
work, under God, is due to him, for he brought me to a definite de- 
cision for Christ. Therefore, this volume is dedicated to his memory. 



PREFAGE. 



~|N presenting this volume to the Public, the aim is to awaken 

I a deeper heart- felt interest in the principal portions of God's 
Word, setting forth his warnings, his love, and his prom- 

I ises for the present as well as the future life. That the 

unbeliever may be brought to Christ, and that the believer may be 
encouraged, strengthened, and built up in the grace of the Lord 
Jesus. The pictures used were taken while laboring in missionary 
work in the Philippines, residing eight months in Japan, and from 
different parts of our own country. If only some life may be guided 
into Eternal Life by its use, its purpose shall have been accomplished. 
Gods' Word standeth sure, and will not return unto Him void. Isa. 
55:11. The incidents given are from the pens of Rev. C. H. 
Spurgeon, D. D., Mr. D. L. Moody and other notable persons. 
Also credit is due to the Home Herald and North Western Chris- 
tian Advocate of Chicago. It has been the writer's purpose to be 
brief, and must necessarily leave many splendid lessons and beauti- 
ful thoughts remain buried in the verses of Scriptures given for the 
reader to think out alone. Read one lesson in the morning and 
then with your Bible read the lesson in the evening as indicated 
below that lesson. 




Rubies and Diamonds. 



FREE TO ALL, 



There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city 
of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the most high. Ps. 
46 14. — Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and 
he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; and without price. 
Isa, 55:1. — But whosoever drinketh of the water that I (Jesus) 




shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give 
him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting- 
life. The woman saith unto him (Jesus), Sir, give me this water, 
that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jno. 4:14, 15. — And 
the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, 
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, 
let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22\\y. 

Beautiful Urami Falls near Nik]<o, Japan. The water drops 
about seventy-five feet. It is hidden away in the mountains, some 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



distance from the regular road, so that many of the travelers do 
not see it, though by a sign-board it bids them to come. A pure 
stream, flowing so freely, and offers itself to the thirsty. There 
is another stream of which we read — an Eternal One. Have you 
listened to the invitation to come and partake freely of it? Jesus 
says, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." Jno. 
6:37. Read James 2 — , special verse 19. 



CHRIST'S LOVE. 



I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd giveth his life 
for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep., 
and am known of mine. I law clown my life for the sheep. 
Jno. 10: 11, 14, 15. — Greater love hath no man than this, that 
a man lay down his life for his friends. • Jno. 15:13. — Himself 
took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matt. 8: 17. — 
Jesus — having loved his own which were in the world — loved 
them to the end. Jno. 13: 1.: — As the Father hath loved me, so 
have I loved you: continue in my love. Jno. 15: 9. — Who shall 
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, 
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, 
in all these things we are more than conquerors • through Him 
that loved us. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor princi- 
palities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor 
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate 
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8: ik-iq 

A good man (a minister) was once lying dangerously ill, 
and prayers were being offered up at his bedside by members of 
his congregation that he would be spared to them. In doing so 
they made mention, among other things, of his tender watch- 
fulness in feeding the lambs of the flock, and used the expres- 
sion, "Lord, thou knowest how he loves Thee." The sick man 
heard them, and said, "Ah, children, do not pray thus ! When 
Mary and Martha went to Jesus, their message was not, "Lord, 
he who loveth Thee is sick,' but, 'he whom Thou lovest.' It is 
not my imperfect love to Him that gives me comfort, but His 
perfect love for me." There is no fear in love : but perfect love 
casteth out fear. 1 Jno. 4: 18. 



• Poor Thomas Carlyle, dyspeptic and disgruntled, once looked 
up at the stars and said, with a growl, "It is a sad sight!" But a 
little girl looked up at the same sight and said, "Mamma, if the 
wrong side of heaven is so fine, how very beautiful the right side 
must be !" 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



THE SCRIPTURES. 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- 
eousness : that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished 
unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3 :i6, 17. — But these are written, that 
ye might "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God : and that 
believing ye might have life through his name. Jno. 20:31. — 
Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and 
they are they which testify of me. Jno. 5 139. — Jesus answered and 
said unto them, ye do err not knowing the scriptures, nor the power 
of God. Matt. 22 129. — When therefore he was risen from the 
dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; 
and they believed the scriptures, and the word which Jesus had said. 
Jno. 2 :22. — And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn 




within us, while he (Jesus) talked with us by the way, and while 
he opened to us the scriptures. Luke 24:32. — Being born again,, 
not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, 
which liveth and abideth forever. 1 Pet. 1 :23. — These were more 
noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word 
with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, wheth- 
er those things were so. Acts 17:11. 

The view is in one of the iron ore mines at Eveleth, Minn. 

You see the large columns of hard rock ; but back and between 
these columns of rock is rich ore. Portions of the earth are blasted 
out, and tunnels are made to bring the rich deposits out of their 
dark depths. In the Scriptures there are so many rich treasures 
hidden away in its depths for us. Do we fail to find them ? Let 
us dig better and deeper to^make the discoveries. If you are an 



io RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



avowed skeptic, or an honest doubter of the Divine Truth, just try 
it. Let the hard rocks — deep sayings and misunderstood portions 
— of the Scriptures alone, until you have used the many good things 
that are offered there to you for your own profit. The rocks are 
there for a purpose. It would do no special good to try to remove 
them. In other words you will have no appetite to nibble at the 
hard bones, though they are good for something, after you have 
used the splendid meat. The Psalmist says, O, how I love thy law ! 
it is my meditation all the day. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, 
and a light unto my path. Great peace have they which love thy 
law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:97, 105, 165. 
— Read Isa. 1 :i — 20, special verse 18. 



CHRIST IS THE CLUE. 

Dr. W. G. Moorehead, of Xenia Theological Seminary, was 
once returning home from one of his journeys, and wanted to 
take with him a present for his children. He selected a dissected 
map. When he gave it to his two girls he said : 

"Now if you can put this together, you will know more of 
geography than if you studied a book." 

They worked patiently, but at last one of them arose, saying : 

"I cannot put it together." 

It was an awful jumble. They had part of North America 
in South America, and other mistakes quite as glaring. 

Suddenly the older girl discovered that on the other side 
of one piece of the map was a man's hand. Curiosity prompted 
her to turn over another piece, and there was part of his face. 
Then her fingers working rapidly, she turned over every piece 
of the map, and called to her sister, saying: 

"Come back! There's a man on the other side! Let's put 
the man together first." 

Soon the figure of the man was completed, and when the 
pieces were turned over, every river and lake, every mountain 
and plain, was in its proper place in the map. 

This is the true secret of Bible study. Find the Man! 
Recognize his portrait! Study with Jesus as the clue, and 
everything will fall into its proper place ! 



WON'T STAY 



A child once asked a minister : "Do you think my father will 
go to heaven?" "O yes," was the reply. "Well," returned the 
child, "if he don't have his own way there he won't stay long." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ii 



A SURE FOUNDATION. 

Nevertheless the foundation of. God standeth sure, having this 
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one 
that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Tim. 2 119. 
■ — For. other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is 
Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3 :n. — If the foundations be destroyed, what 
can the righteous do? Ps. 11:2. — Therefore whosoever heareth 
these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise 
man, which built his house upon a rock : and the rain descended, 
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house ; 
and it fell not. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, 
and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which 
built his house upon the sand : and the rain descended, and the floods 




came, and winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell. Matt. 
7:24, 27. 

The Cliff House is quite near Golden Gate, San Francisco. It 
is built upon the solid rock. The rocks in the water are where the 
Seals live. The storms from the sea may rage, and the high waves 
roll in their might, still the house is safe, for it is on a solid founda- 
tion. What a difference it would make, were it built on the sandy 
shore. Christ is the Rock that is laid for the safety and security of 
man for eternity. Our future depends wholly on where, how and 
what we build. The big buildings in San Francisco were tumbled 
down by the earthquake because they were built upon the wrong 
kind of foundation. It was a boggy place filled with wood piling ; 
but this house remained, being built upon the rock. Read Psalm 
37 — , special verse 37. 



12 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



THE RIGHT DIRECTION. 

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heav- 
ens. Ps. 123 :i. — Hide not thy face from me; put not thy servant 
away in anger : thou hast been my help : leave me not, neither for- 
sake me, O God of my salvation. Ps. 27 :g. — I will lift up mine 
eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Ps. 121 :i. — 
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there 
is no help. Ps. 146:3. — And straightway the father of the child 
cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe ; help thou mine un- 
belief. Mark 9 124. — And he said, Come. And when Peter was 
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid : and beginning 
to sink, he cried, Lord, save me. Matt. 14:29, 30. 






This is a statue of Sacajawea in the Portland Fair. She was 
the faithful guide of Lewis and Clark in their exploring expedition. 
Many weary footsteps across mountain and plain she gave in the 
exploration journey. Fatigued of body, and soul tried, yet her face 
is turned heavenward. Peter looked downward and at circumstan- 
ces, and got into trouble. Confide and trust in Him who is able to 
help. To believe in God is to look up to Him. Looking unto 
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who for the joy that was 
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set 
down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12 :2. — You 
will be looking on the bright side of things by so doing. Look up 
and then help to lift up. 1 Kings 19 — .special verse 9. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



NOT MY WILL. 

And he (Jesus) came out, and went, as he was wont, to the 
mount of Olives : and his disciples also followed him. And when 
he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into 
temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's 
cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be wil- 
ling, remove this cup from me : nevertheless not my will, but thine, 
be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven 
strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly : 
and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to 
the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to 
his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto 
them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 




Luke 22 139, 46. — And when they had preached the gospel to that 
city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to 
Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and ex- 
horting them to continue in the faith, and that we must throup-h 
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21,22. 
— If we suffer, we shall also reign with him ; if we deny him, he als:> 
will deny us. 2 Tim. 2 :i2. — And if children, then heirs; heirs of 
God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, 
that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the suf- 
ferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory 
which shall be revealed in us (the Christian). Rom. 8:17, 18. 

The picture represents Mount Olive. Gethsemane is at the 
lower left hand corner. A short distance up the mount is a Greek 
Church. Half-way up, in the triangular spot, is said to be the 



14 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



place where Christ lamented over Jerusalem. The summit, the 
place of his ascension, marked by Greek and Roman Convents, and 
a Mohammedan Mosque. Gethsemane is so significant. Leaving 
his disciples and enjoining them to pray, he went alone to pray, and 
while he was undergoing such extreme suffering for mankind, they 
fell asleep. What could have been more noble of Jesus, when he 
said, "Not my will, but thine, be done?''' Suffering for the sinful. 
For you and me. How little we suffer with him and for him! 
Read Isaiah 53. 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 

He that loveth not knoweth not J3k)d : for God is love. And 
we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God 
is love : and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in 
him. 1 Jno. 4: 8, 16. — For God so loved the world, that He 
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him 
should not perish, but have everlasting' life. Jno. 3: 16. — But 
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved 
us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together 
with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) : Eph. 2 : 4, 5. — Behold, 
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we 
should be called the sons of God : therefore the world knoweth 
us not, because it knew him not. 1 Jno. 3:1. 



THE WEAPONS FIRST. 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may 
be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the 
presence of the Lord. Acts 3 : 19. — Then Peter said unto them. 
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus 
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of 
the Holy Ghost. Acts 2 : 38. 

The raiment of salvation is often disapproved. Pardon is 
conditional. Only on certain grounds can we be forgiven. For 
example : sin must be given up. That is indispensable. Con- 
promise is out of the question. How can a perfectly holy God 
accept one who holds fast to his transgressions? A French 
officer, whose ships had been captured by the English, advanced 
towards Nelson, and offered him his hand. '"First give me your 
SAVord," said the Admiral. There can be no true reconciliation 
with God while we retain the weapons of our rebellion. Let 
the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his 
thoughts, then the Lord will have mercy upon him, and will 
abundantly pardon. Conscious and deliberate wrong-doing 
must be abandoned — the weapons put away first. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



UNKNOWN. 

And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto 
you, What mean ye by this service? Ex. 12:26. — That this may 
be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in 
time to come, What mean ye by these stones ? Joshua 4 :6. — For 
as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with 
this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye 
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts. 17:23. — The 
way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their 
goings ; they have made them crooked paths : whosoever goeth 
therein shall not know peace. Isa. 59 :8. — Therefore I said, Surely 
these are poor, they are foolish ; for they know not the way of the 




Lord, nor the judgment of their God. Jer. 5 4. — Howbeit every 
nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of high 
places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities 
wherein they dwelt. 2 Kings 17:29. — Ye worship ye know not 
what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews. 
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall 
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: For the Father seeketh 
such to worship him. John 4:22, 23. 

One has well said, "A good creed is a gate to the city that hath 
foundations ; a misleading creed may be a road to destruction, or if 
both misleading and alluring it may become what Shakespeare calls 
a primrose path to the eternal bonfire." The little houses or shrines 
are really meaningless things. I could not find out just why they 
were placed in the rear yard of so manv homes. It forms a part of 



i6 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



the religious belief among the Japanese. The arch or torii is also 
a traditional affair without any special significance at the present 
time, still they are used. Many people in our county still worship 
meaningless things, even now. Creeds and ceremonies may become 
to one, just like these, held in a superstitious reverence, and become 
unprofitable to the spiritual life. Not having Christ to dwell with- 
in them, they dwell upon the outward forms. Jesus said that "It 
is the Spirit that quickeneth." Jno. 6 163. \St. Paul says : "And 
the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commanded! 
all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30. How patient and 
longsuffering God has been with us these many years ! Read Neli. 
1 — , special verse 4. 



THREE DOORWAYS. 

On the triple doorway of a great cathedral in Milan, Italy, 
there are three inscriptions spanning the archway. Over one is 
carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath are the wor.ds : 
"All that which pleases is but for a moment." Over another is 
sculptured a cross, upon which we read: "All that which troubles 
is but for a moment." But underneath the great central entrance 
■of" the main aisle is the inscription: "That only is important 
which is eternal." 



THE MERCY OF GOD. 

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive: and plente- 
ous in mercy unto them that call upon thee. But thou, O Lord, 
art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and 
plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:5, 15. — Know therefore 
that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keep- 
eth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his 
commandments to a thousand generations. Duet. 7 :g. — And 

said, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, 
nor in the earth : which keepest covenant, and she west mercy unto 
thy servants, that walk before Ithee with all their hearts. 2 Chron. 
6 :i4. — Many sorrows shall come to the wicked : but he that trusteth 
in the Lord, mercy shall compass nim about. Ps. 32:10. — Keep- 
ing mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and 
sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty : visiting the iniquity 
of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, 
unto the third and to the fourth generation. Ex. 34:7. — Let the 
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : and 
let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him : 
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isai. 55 \J. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



17 



THE ONLY ENTRANCE. 

Strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many, I say unto you, 
will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master 
of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door, and ye begin to 
stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open 
unto us ; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not 
whence ye are : then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk 
in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall 
say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all 
ye workers of iniquity. Luke 13:24, 27. — Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but 
climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. I am 



^E\->*'' 






/ 


\ 




.-'<:■; 


' r 


j^isi 


fc." 




-- 

















MMrmj&m 




1 'TBI 


K •*- r 


■^ffljT'jwSB 



the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go 
in and out, and find pasture. Jno. 10:1, 9. 

True it is, there is only one entrance to heaven. The door 
above is the only entrance to one of the finest temples in Tokio, 
Japan. It is a splendid and beautiful edifice. To enter it one must 
take of! the shoes, for the floor is enameled with red and black 
lacquer, and is easily soiled. Besides it is considered by them as a 
holy place. I have been in some churches in this country where 
the children and even the older people did not have the proper re- 
spect for the house of prayer. This entrance is the separation from 
the world, and that is just what Jesus came to do, to take people 
out of this old cold world, and offers them something better, high- 
er, nobler, yes, eternal life, even here, but he says, "I am the door." 
You cannot enter the glory-land on your own good works, or good- 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



loess, but by the finished work of Jesus upon the Cross. That is the 
positive condition. All others come short and fail. Read I Cor. 
2 — ; , special verse 14. 



THE TWO FARMERS. 

In a small country town, in Massachusetts, there lived, says 
Rev. Daniel Smith, two wealthy farmers, whose land adjoined each 
other. On some account or other, they became involved in a law 
suit, which both lessened their money, and promoted a spirit of 
rancour towards each other. After a time, one of these men was 
convinced of the sinfulness of his past conducS, when, yielding" to 
the influence of the gospel, he became desirous of reconciliation and 
friendship with his neighbor. With a trembling heart, he rapped 
at the door of the man he had offended, which he had not before 
entered in six years. Not suspecting who he was, his neighbor in- 
vited him in. He went in, took his seat, acknowledged that he had 
in the affair been much to blame, and entreated forgiveness. The 
other was much astonished, but maintained his high ground. "I 
always knew that you were to blame, and I never shall forgive 
you," with much more to the same purpose, was the reply given 
to him. He again confessed his wrong, asked the pardon of his 
neighbor, expressed the hope that the Divine Being would forgive 
him: and added, "We have been actuated by the wrong spirit; and 
we shall be. afraid to meet each other at the bar of God, where we 
must soon appear." The other became a little softened, and they 
parted. The family, when left to themselves, were filled with as- 
tonishment. But the mystery was solved when they learned that 
their neighbor had become a follower of Christ. "What!" said 

the farmer, has S become a Christian ? Why should he 

come and ask my forgiveness? If religion will humble such a 
man, it is surely a great thing. He said, "We shall be afraid to 
meet each other at the bar of God." Such reflections as these, with 
the consciousness of his own ill conduct, occasioned him great dis- 
tress for several days. At length, he could smother his feelings 
no longer — he took his hat, and went to see his once-hated neigh- 
bor. As he entered the door, he received a cordial welcome : they 
took each other by the hand, and burst into tears. He said, "You 
came to ask my forgiveness the other day, but I find I have been 
a thousand times worse than you." They retired and prayed to- 
gether. They became members of the same church, and many years 
in uninterrupted harmony. Such are the triumphs of Christianity, 
compared with which, "The laurels that Csesar reaps are weeds." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



19 



PRAISE. , 

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything- 
that moveth therein. Ps. 69 134. — Because thy loving kindness is 
better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee 
while I live ; I will lift up my hands in thy name. Ps. 63 13, 4. — I 
will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart. Ps. 9:1. — I will 
sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I will sing praise to my God 
while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet : I 




will be glad in the Lord. Ps. 104 133, 34. — And when they had laid 
stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor 
to keep them safely. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and 
sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16: 
23, 25. — Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such 
as I have I give thee : in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise 
up and walk. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered 
with him into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. 
Acts 3 :6, 8. 

Even this beautiful Kiri-furi Falls near Nikko, Japan, seemed 
to speak its praises to the very heavens. Christians lose much of 



20 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



their spiritual life by continually asking favors of God, and never 
praising him for anything. Praise enlarges the heart, and widens 
the scope of spiritual vision, and brings more real blessings into 
the life, for the Lord says, "Him that honoreth me I will honor." 
It pleases Him and makes you happier. You will not have any 
chance to praise Him after this life if you forget or neglect to do 
so while here on earth. Have you begun to do so yet? Praise 
is something within the soul that leaps out to God in joy and glad- 
ness. Read i Cor. 6:1-20 — , special verse 20. 



FIRST LOVING. 



We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 Jno. 4: 19. 
Backward and forward in her little rocking-chair went Alice 
Lee, now clasping her beautiful waxen doll to her bosom, and 
singing low, sweet lullabies ; then smoothing its flaxen curls, 
patting its rosy cheeks, and whispering softly, "I love you pretty 
dolly :" and anon casting wistful glances towards her mother, 
who sat in the bay window busily writing. After what seemed 
to be a very long time to the little daughter, Mrs. Lee pushed 
aside the papers, and, looking up, said pleasantly, "I am through 
for today, Alice; you may now make all the noise you choose." 
Scarcely were the words uttered ere the little one had flown to 
her and nestled her head on her loving heart, saying earnestly, 
"I'm so glad ; I wanted to love you so much, mamma." Did you, 
darling?" and she clasped her tenderly: "I am very glad my 
Alice loves me so; but I fancy you were not very lonely while 
I wrote, you and dolly seemed to be having a very happy time 
together." Yes, we had, mamma, but I got tired after awhile 
of loving her." "And why?" "Oh, because she never loves 
me back!" "And that is why you love me?" "That is one 
way, mamma; but not the first one or the best." "And what 
is the first and best?" "Why, mamma, don't you know guess?" 
and the blue eyes grew very bright and earnest. "It's because 
you loved me when I was too little to love you back : that's why 
I love you so." "We love Him because He first loved us," whisp- 
ered the mother; and fervently she thanked God for the little 
teacher. 



O do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do 
not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal 
to your tasks : then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. 
But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at 
yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you bv the 
grace of God. — Phillips Brooks. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



WORSHIP. 

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, 
Satan : for it it written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and 
him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4 :8. — But the hour cometh, and 
now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit 
and in truth : for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is 
a spirit ; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and 
in truth. John 4 123, 24. — He spake unto them in the cloudy pil- 
lar : they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 
Ps. 99 :y. — O come, let us worship and bow down ; let us kneel be- 
fore the Lord our maker. Ps. 95 :6. — Give unto* the Lord the glory 
due his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Ps. 29 :2. 

The totem poles are worshipped by the Alaskan people as gods. 
Strange figures are carved ahd painted on them, and each figure 




seems to have a special significance. All the primitive peoples, 
such as the Indians, etc., have their forms of worshipping the Great 
Spirit. To some the nearest that they could get to this was by 
worshipping the Sun. Others fire, water and such other elements. 
It is quite natural that they should choose something visible, and 
this is why the Lord gave to the Israelites the First and Second 
commandments. See Ex. 20:1, 2. — The mind being darkened by 
sin as to whom God really is, these things are contrived by them. 
Now, however, God has revealed himself to< mankind through his 
Word, and demands that he be worshipped in spirit and in truth. 

It would not be well to take their idols from them, if there 
were nothing better to offer them instead. But to-dav we may 
know God personally, his love, his Christ, and his Holy Spirit. We 
may worship him in the beauty of Holiness. Some sav they believe 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



in nothing* and worship nothing. Possible ! Such one must have 
a very empty and unsatisfying- life. Read Revelation 20 — , special 
verse 12. 



INSINCERITY. 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now 
commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17: 30. 

A lady came to Charles Wesley, complaining that she was 
the chief of sinners — the worst of transgressors — utterly lost 
and helpless. "I have no doubt, madam," he replied, "that you 
are bad enough." She instantly flew into a passion, declaring 
that she was no worse than her neighbors, and scolded the 
preacher as a slanderer. Thus confession of sin may prove in- 
sincere. 



THE LIGHT. 



Dr. A. C. Dixon relates this beautiful incident: "Samuel 
Hebich, 'the master fisher of men' in India, entered an English 
officer's tent and asked him to read the first two verses of Gen- 
esis. The officer took down his unused Bible and read them. 
Then Hebich knelt and prayed. The next day he returned, made 
they same request, offered the same prayer and left without 
another word. After the strange man had left, the officer began 
to feel that his life was truly 'without form and void, and dark- 
ness was upon the face of the deep.' The third day Hebich 
came in and said, 'Now read the first three verses of Genesis,* 
and as the officer read, 'God said. Let there be light,' the light 
of salvation flooded his soul and he began to rejoice. May that 
be the exoerience of every reader of these words! 



EVERYDAY RELIGION. 

"I have so fixed the habit in my own mind," said Stonewall 
Jackson, "that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without 
asking God's blessing. II never seal a letter without putting a 
word of prayer under the seal. I never take a letter from the 
post without a brief sending of my thoughts Heavenward. I never 
change my classes in the section room without a minute's petition 
for the cadets who go out and those who come in." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



SAVED. 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall 
be saved: for thou art my praise. Jer. 17:14. — Behold, the Lord's 
hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, 
that it cannot hear. Isa. 59:1. — But when he (Peter) saw the 
wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, 
saying ,Lord, save me. Matt. 14 130. — And she shall bring forth a 
son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people 
from their sins. Matt. 1 :2i. — For the Son of man is come to seek, 
and to save that which was lost. Luke 15:10. — For whosoever 
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. 10:13. 
■ — Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of . sal- 
vation. 2 Cor. 6 :2. — Wherefore he (Jesus) is able to save them to 




ON THE LAKE AT THE PORTLAND FAIR. 



the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to 
make intercession for them. Heb. 7 125. 

' A supposed shipwreck at sea. The ship is sinking. The Life 
Saving Crew is called upon to save the perishing ones aboard. With 
the cannon they hurl the life line out across the ship, which is then 
fastened to one of the masts, and the passengers are drawn ashore. 
The sinful are perishing. Jesus left his home of glory to come to 
this sin stricken world to save the perishing one. Sinner, will you 
grasp the life line while you have a chance? Boast not thyself of 
to "morrow, for that may be too late. It is your opportunity now. 
Christ wants to lift you from the wreckage of sin in this world. 
He is able to do it, if you will let him. Putting off or delaying to 
receive this salvation after hearing of the way is only heaping guilt 
upon guilt against one's self. It is to-day. Decide right now, A 



M RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



Christian is always a sinner saved by grace. Saved from sin, 
death, and ourselves unto God. Present salvation from sin. See 
Rom. 5:1-6.; Rom. 8:1. — Every day salvation from the power of 
sin. 1 Cor, 10:13; Matt. 26:41. — Future salvation from the pres- 
ence of sin. Jno. 14:1, 2; Rev. 21:27; 2. Thes. 1:8, 9; Rom. 8: 
23. Read Col. 1 n-15 — , special verse 14. 



WHAT CONVINCED HIM. 

A minister had delivered a course of addresses on infidelity, 
and as time went on he was delighted to find that an infidel was 
anxious to unite himself with the congregation. 

"Which of my arguments did you find the most convinc- 
ing?" asked the minister. 

"No argument moved me," was the reply, "but the face and 
manner of an old blind woman who sits in one of the front 
rows. I supported her one day as she was groping along, and, 
putting out her hand to me, she asked, 'Do you love my blessed 
Saviour?' 

"The look of deep content, her triumphant tones, made me 
realize as never before that He who could suffice to make one 
so helpless bright and glad, must be a 'blessed Saviour' indeed." 



NOT SAFE TO WAIT. 

A lady came to Dr. Chalmers one day and said : "Doctor. 
I cannot bring my child to Christ. I've talked, and talked, but 
it's of no use." The doctor said, "Now you be quiet and I will 
talk to her p.lone." 

When the doctor got the Scotch lassie alone he said to her, 
"They are bothering you a great deal about this question; now 
suppose I just tell your mother you don't want to be talked to 
any more upon this subject for a year. How will that do?" 

The Scotch lassie hesitated a little, and then said she "didn't 
think it would be safe to wait for a year, something might turn 
up. ;She might die before then." 

"Well, that's so," replied the doctor, "but suppose we say 
six months." 

She didn't think even this would be safe. After a little 
hesitation, the girl finally said, "I don't think it would be safe to 
put it off at all," and they went down on their knees and found 
Christ. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



OUT. 

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the 
Lord : and be sure your sin will find you out. Num. 32 123. — As 
for the earth, out of it cometh bread : and under it is turned up as 
it were fire. Job 28 15. — Keep thy heart with all diligence : for out 
of it are the issues of life. Prov. 4 123. — O generation of vipers, 
how can ye, being evil, speak good things ? for out of the abundance 
of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good 
treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things ; and an evil man 
out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matt. 12 134, 
35. — And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge 
thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knowest that I was an austere 
man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not 




sow. Luke 19 :22. — If ye were of the world, the world would love 
his own ; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen 
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Jno. 15 :io,. 
— Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at 
Iconium, and at Lystra ; what persecutions I endured : but out of 
them all the Lord delivered me. 2 Tim. 3:11. 

Iron ore is being hoisted out of the mine at Eveleth, Minn. It 
is dumped into the bin and then loaded onto the cars from a trap- 
door below. In every person there are the good and the evil. God 
knows how to find them out. He looks upon the intents of the 
heart, and the evil that proceeds therefrom, as being things that 
defile the life. Every person shall be judged by the evil that has 
proceeded from his own mouth. If the world hate you, let it dis- 



26 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



turb you not, for it hated Jesus also. But all power is given him 
and he is able to deliver his own out of their difficulties in this life, 
as he did Saint Paul. Read Acts 18 124-28. 



BILLY BRAY AND SATAN. 

Billy Bray, the Cornish miner, whose rugged piety and real, 
consistent consecration to Christ's service have been made a 
blessing to so many hundreds of God's children, gives much in- 
struction, in his quaint way, as to how to treat the temptations 
of Satan. He says of himself that, one day, when he was a 
little downhearted, he stood upon the brink of a coal pit, and 
some one seemed to say, "Now, Billy, just throw yourself clown 
there, and be rid of all your trouble." He knew in a minute 
who it was, and, drawing back, said : "O, no, Satan ; you can 
just throw yourself down there. That is your way home; but I 
am going to my home in a different direction." 

Another time, he tells us, his crop of potatoes turned out 
poorly, and as he was digging them in the fall Satan was at his 
elbow, and said, "There, Billy, isn't that poor pay for serving 
your Father the way you have all the year? Just see those small 
potatoes." He stopped his hoeing, and replied, "Ah, Satan, at 
it again, talking* against my Father. Bless His name! Why, 
when I served you I didn't get any potatoes at all. What are you 
talking against my Father for?" And on he went, hoeing and 
praising the Lord for small potatoes. A valuable lesson for us 
all. 



HOLD FAST. 



Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without waver- 
ing: (for he is faithful that promised); Heb. 10:23. 

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed 
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our pro- 
fession. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, 
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of 
need. Heb. 4: T4. t6. In the reign of Queen Mary of Eng- 
land, a man named Palmer was condemned to die. Before his 
death he was earnestly persuaded to recant, and among other 
things, a friend said to him, "Take pity on thy golden years, 
and pleasant flowers of youth before it is too late." His beauti- 
ful reply was, "Sir, I long for those springing flowers which 
shall never fade away," When in the midst of the flames he 
exhorted his suffering companions to constancy, saying, "We 
shall not end our lives in the fire, but make a change for a better 
life : yea, for coals we shall receive pearls." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 27 



IMPROPER ATTITUDE. 

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed ? or how shall I 
defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? Num. 23:8. — Then said 
David to the Philistine (Goliath), Thou comest to me with a sword, 
and with a spear, and with a shield ; but I come to thee in the name 
of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou 
hast defied. I Sam. 17 145. — How shall we escape, if we neglect so 
great salvation? Heb. 2:3. — It is a fearful thing to fall into the 
hands of the living God. Heb. 10:31. — God is jealous, and the 
Lord revengeth ; the Lord revengeth and is furious ; the Lord will 
take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his 
enemies. Nahum 1 :2. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but 
give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will 




repay saith the Lord. Rom. 12 :io,. — And to you who are troubled 
rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven 
with his mighty angels, in a flaming fire taking vengeance on them 
that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 2 Thess. 1 \j, 8. 

The poor Indian has suffered severely for his defiant attitude 
toward the white man, whatever his rights may have been in the 
past. He was naturally blind to the progressive ways of mankind. 
Defiance is always the wrong spirit, and the improper attitude to 
take. There are many who defy their God every clay. Rebelling 
against his way, closing their hearts against his laAvs and Jesus 
Christ; but such will be the loser in the end. In the words of 
George Eliot we find the right spirit, "How will you find good ? It 
is not a thing of choice ; it is a river that flows from the foot of the 



28 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



invisible throne, and flows by the path of obedience." Read i Cor. 
3 — , special verse 16. 



READY. 



Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to 
obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Titus 3:11. — 
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 
6 :2. — We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the 
weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom. 15 :i. — And let us not be 
weary in well doing ; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint 
not. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especial- 
ly unto' them who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6 :g, 10. — 
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him 
it is sin. Jas. 4:17. 







L —\- IJH 




HPP 


ml JH 






pt^^x 


;■• . • 









If you were to visit Yokohama, Japan, you would see many of 
these little buggies pulled about by men in place of horses. The 
jinrikisha is now famous, for it is used in. most of the eastern 
countries, particularly so in Japan. It is the common vehicle of 
conveyance for the people. iThis man is ever alert, watching, wait- 
ing and ready to serve you. Every Christian should also be ready 
to lend a helping hand, and to do good to his fellow men, especially 
so to his own brethren in the faith. In the words of Phillips Brooks 
we may say, "It is good for us to think that no grace or blessing is 
truly ours till we are aware that God has blessed some one else with 
it through us." As the Apostle says, Be ye doers of the word, 
and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1 :22. 
Read Psalm 136. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



29 



THE IMPORTANT STEP. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; 
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33. — For 
which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and 
counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish. Luke 14 128, 
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. But 
if ye refuse and rebel, then ye shall be devoured with the sword. 
Isa. 1 119, 20. — For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are 
your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Isa. 55 :8. — Jesus began to 
preach, and to say, Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
Matt. 4:17. — Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the 
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jno. 14:6. Re- 
pent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted 
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of 




the Lord. Acts 3 119. — I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in 
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and 
nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7. — I tell 
you, Nay : but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 

There is always a beginning to every thing in this world. To 
begin rightly is the all-important matter. "To know thyself" is a 
good basis to work on. Many build air-castles which will crumble 
to pieces in time. This will apply to the secular and spiritual things 
alike. All wish to succeed is natural. It is the desire of every one 
to go to the heavenly land when through with this world. But to 
go anywhere necessitates a starting point. Many think, speculate. 
and dream about it, but what good of all this? It is the starting 
that is so essential. If one would enter heaven he must surely 
consider the cost and pay the price. 



3o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



This is the entrance to the Portland Fair. Some are entering, 
while others are standing on the outside and do not go in. They 
were probably not willing to pay the price. Jesus made the way 
clear when he said, "REPENT." The price God demands, is, accept 
Jesus for your Savior, Master and Lord, and give up your sinning 
and your ways and take his ways and follow him. Sinful man is 
going away from God, so it is necessary to right-face-about, and go 
to him. This is real repentance. False repentance is where one 
feels sorry for his sins, but does not turn to God for help. Judas, 
the traitor, had this kind of repentance or sorrow. Matt. 27 13-5. 
The test of true repentance of a Christian is: 1. Love to God; 2. 
Love to man; 3. Hatred of evil. 

The great Earl of Shaftesbury when a young man said, "I have 
been considering my future career. The first principle is God's 
honor ; the second, man's happiness ; the means, prayer and unre- 
mitting diligence." Read Galatians 1 — , special verse 8. 



FOLLOWING CHRIST. 

Matthew, look up ; you are called ! City man, you are called ! 
Cashier, you are called! Don't you hear? Called! Answer to the 
call. Business men, Christ walks into business, and calls men by 
His grace Avhile at the seat of custom. He is instant in season, and 
•out of season." "And Matthew left all, rose up, and followed 
Him." (Matt. 9:9.) My hearers, I have told you often from this 
pulpit unless God had spoken in this Book I had no message to men. 
My whole stock-in-trade is just to repeat what He has said. This 
only is the witchcraft I have used. Look at it. "And he left all, 
rose up, and followed Jesus." If that entry has not been made in 
your spiritual biography and daily, your life has not been worth liv- 
ing up till now. I dare to repeat it, and look into your face. With 
all your abilities, your years, honors, successes, unless that red-letter 
entry can be put beside your name, your life is a wretched failure 
up to now. "He left all, rose up, and followed Christ." Then he 
began to live : never till then. The life received meaning and pur- 
pose. — McNeill. 



CHRIST. 



Napoleon once testified to Christ's power when he said, "Alex- 
ander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded empires on force, 
and they perished : Jesus of Nazareth alone, a crucified Jew, founded 
His kingdom on love, and at this hour millions of men would die 
for Him." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 31 



THE WORLD VS. THE CHRISTIAN. 

They (the Christians) are not of the world, even as I am not 
of the world. 'Jno. 17:16. — Pure religion and undefiled before 
God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows 
in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 
Jas. 1 127. — Love not the world, neither the things that are in the 
world. If any man love the world, the love of God the Father is 
not in him. 1 Jno. 2:15. — Teaching us that denying ungodliness 
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in 
this present world. Titus 2:12. — For Demas hath forsaken me, 
having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica. 
2 Tim. 4:10. — If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me be- 
fore it hated you. Jno. 15 :i8. — I pray not, that thou shouldest take 



them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. 
Jno. 17 :i5. — In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good 
cheer: I have overcome the world. Jno. 16:33. — I pray for them: 
I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; 
for they are thine. Jno. 17:9. 

This view shows the main buildings at the Portland Fair. It 
is used here to represent the world through which the Christian 
must pass. He begins the Christian life by accepting Jesus as his 
personal Savior from sin, but is left to sojourn in this world for 
certain number of days, months or years. The world has many 
beautiful things to offer and attract, to entice and pull him away 
from the objective destination. The friendship received from the 
world is cold, sullen, and unkind. Augustine said, "Trust not the 
"world, for it never payeth what it promiseth." Crates threw his 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



gold into the sea, saying, "I will destroy thee, lest thou destroy me." 
''If men do not put the love of the world to death, the love of the 
world will put them to death,'' remarks Venning. One cannot 
hold on to Christ and the world at the same time. God has given 
man the power of choosing whom he will serve. See John I :i2. 
Read John 17 — , special verse 3. 



ASSOCIATES. 



Sophronius, a wise teacher, would not suffer his grown up 
sons and daughters to associate with those whose conduct was 
not pure and upright. '"Dear father," said the gentle Eulalia 
to him one day, when he forbade her, in company with her 
brother, to visit the volatile Lucinda, "you must think us very 
childish if you imagine that we would be exposed to danger by 
it." The father took in silence a dead coal from the hearth, and 
reached it to his daughter. "It will not burn you, my child; 
take it. "She did so, and behold, her delicate white hand was 
soiled and blackened, and her dress soiled, too. "We cannot be 
too careful in handling coals; even if they do not burn, they 
will blacken. So it is with the company of the vicious." 



THE DANGER. 



General Philip Sheridan was once asked by a friend : ".Phil, 
if you could choose for your little son from all the temptations 
which will be beset him the one most to be feared, what would 
it be?" 

The General leaned his head on his hand and said soberly : 
"It would be the curse of strong drink. Boys are not saints. 
We are all self-willed, strong-willed, maybe, full of courage, 
and thrift, and push, and kindness, and charity; but woe be to 
the man or boy who becomes a slave of liquor! Oh, I would 
rather see my little son die today than to see him carried in to 
his mother drunk! One of my brave soldier boys in the field 
said to me just before battle, when he gave me his message to 
his mother if he should be killed : 'Tell her I have kept my 
promise to her, not one drink have I tasted.' The boy was 
killed. I carried the message with my own lips to the mother. 
She said : 'General, that is more glory for my boy than if he 
had taken a city.' 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 33 



THE BRIDGE OF TIME (Day.) 

'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence 
of things not seen. Heb. 1 1 :i. — By the word of truth, by the pow- 
er of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and n 
the left. 4 2 Cor. 6 7. — That was the true light, which lighteti 
every man that cometh into the world. Jno. 1 :o,. — Moreover thou 
leddest them in the day by a cluody pillar. Neh. 9:12. — As long- 
as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jno. 5 15. — 
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not accord" 
ing to our works, but according" to his own purpose and g'race, 
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is 
now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, 
who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality 
to light through the gospel. 2 Tim. 1 :g, 10. — The Lord is my 
light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear ? the Lord is the strength 
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps. 27 :i. 







i20L 



trr-*^! ..JbSftjmiittfiddifli. 



iiiiti nttittliftfaiif 



This bridge takes one across the lake to the Government Build- 
ing at the Portland Fair. Christ is the light of the word to the 
lost. He calls people out of darkness heavenward which place the 
earthly do not fully understand. They must take him at his word, 
and walk toward it by faith. The Israelites were led by the cloudy 
pillar by day, and by a pillar of fire by night. Christ is the true 
light to the people through this earthly journey. About half-way 
cross the bridge there is a stairway leading clown to the lake, where 
the boatmen are soliciting your attention. Many have started with 
the best of intentions to cross to the Government Building, but- 
stopped off at the half-way station for a boat-ride. The sun may 
have been hot, and they may have become tired, or merely seeking 



34 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



pleasure. Many good intentions never reach heaven, as well as 
many good-intentioned people who have stopped off somewhere. If 
you have, you must get on where you left off, or you will always be 
unhappy and finally lost. 'Read John 16 — , special verse 33. 



THE STRONGER. 

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them : be- 
cause greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 
Jno. 4 '.4. — For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world : 
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 
1 Jno. 5 '.4. — These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye 
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation : but be 
of good cheer: I have overcome the world. Jno. 16:33. 

A little boy came to his father one day, looking very much in 
earnest, and asked, "Father is Satan bigger than I am?" "Yes, 
my boy," said the father. "Is he bigger than you, Father?" "Yes, 
my boy, he is bigger than your father." The boy looked surprised, 
but thought again, and then asked, "Is he bigger than Jesus" "No, 
my boy, answered the father, Jesus is bigger than he is." The 
little fellow, as he turned away, said with a smile, "Then I am not 
afraid of him." 



DOUBLE GOING. 



Sir Edward Peary, the Artie explorer, thought himself travel- 
ing poleward at the rate of ten miles a day, but found that the ice- 
floe on which he was sledging, was drifting equator-ward twelve 
miles a day, but he would not have known he was being carried 
daily backward two miles, had he not looked skyward. So, the 
pilgrim, who only plods along with his gaze on the ground, may 
be losing instead of making progress. No one can be certain of 
advancing without looking up. On the dead level of life, there are 
no landmarks. However, a good many people are going to heaven 
this way. 



A CHEERFUL VIEW. 

And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 
Jno. 1: 16. "How dismal you look!" said a bucket to his com- 
panion as they were going to the well. "Ah !" replied the other, 
"I was reflecting upon the uselessness of our being filled; for let 
us go away ever so full, we always come back empty." "Dear 
me! how strange to look at it in that way!" said the other 
bucket. "Now, I enjoy the thought that' however empty we 
come, we always go away full. Only look at it in that light, 
and you'll be as cheerful as I am." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



35 



BRIDGE OF TIME. (Night.) 

The day is thine, the night is also thine; thou hast pre- 
pared the light and the sun. Ps. 74:16. — And in the night by a 
pillar of fire, to give them (the Israelites) light in the way wherein 
they should go. Neh. 9:12. — For God who> commanded the light 
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light 
of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
2 Cor. 4 :6. — Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying. I am the 
light of the world ; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 
but shall have light of life. Jno. 8:12. — I am come a light into 
the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in dark- 



1 


111 


^ W mMk * jBif^ -'■"! H' , m, 


-- v; -,. : 


- - ?T".^. ^tS+- £ 


^onopM""' : "*- 



ness. Jno. 12 146. — And this is the condemnation, that light is 
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, be- 
cause their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth 
light, neither cometh to the light, 'lest his deeds should be reproved. 
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be 
made manifest, that they are wrought of God. Jno. 3:19-21. 

The life in this world may be dark an dreary, but there are 
lights along the way to guide the Christian traveler, and his busi- 
ness is to keep himself in the light and in the way. Christ's light 
shines in the darkness as well as the day. Walking, praying, trust- 
ing and hoping in the love and power of Jesus Christ every day 
and all the way is the Christian's duty. Man fails when he loves 
to walk in the darkness. It is unsafe. Read John 14 — , special 
^erse 27. 



^ 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



INSPECTION DAY. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that 
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to 
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor. 5 :io. — When 
the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with 
him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory ; and before him 
shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from 
another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Matt. 
25 131, 32. — So then every one of us shall give an account of him- 
self to God. Rom. 14:22. — His Lord said unto him, Well done, 
thou good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few 



r 




things, I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord. Matt. 25 :2i.« 

The soldiers were serving at the Portland Fair, and this was 
Inspection Day. They had to undergo inspection by their superior 
officer. They had to give an account personally of the condition 
of their uniforms, and weapons, and how they had used them, and 
how they kept them in order. Every Christian shall be called to ap- 
pear personally before Christ on the great Inspection Day to give 
an account of the things that he has done in his course of life while 
on the earth. |If we could all be ready to say with Paul, "I have 
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the 
faith." 2 Tim. 4:6. — How blessed it would be to hear Christ say, 
"Well done!" Read John 9:13-41, special verse 31. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



37 



THE HEAVENS. 

But our God is in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he 
hath pleased. Ps. 115 :3. — Unto< thee I lift up mine eyes, O thou 
that dwellest in the heavens. Ps. 123:1. — For we know that if 
our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- 
ing of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
2 Cor. 5 :i. — Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God, be- 
lieve also in me (Jesus). In my Father's house are many mansions : 
if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place 
for you. Jno. 14:1, 2. — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor 
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things 
which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2 :g. 

(The Government Building at the Portland Fair was built on an 
island and was a marvel in itself. Everything appertaining to our 
own country was on exhibit there. Each Department ( State, War. 




etc.) vied with each other in excellency. I spent several days scan- 
ning over the many objects to be seen, from the cheapest postage 
stamp to the powerful warship — a model. Too much to behold! 
The mind could not receive it all. The more one studied, the more 
he saw to study. One could not imagine what was inside by look- 
ing from the outside, nor would anybody that had been inside ven- 
ture to tell you. How often we speculate about heaven. Heaven 
is not a condition. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared peo- 
ple. God has revealed only sufficient to us to know the way to en- 
ter it. We shall never understand it all while in this world. We 
can only see the steeples (the stars) of it now. The Psalmist said, 
"Marvellous are thy works." So I liken this building to heaven. 
It is necessary to enter it personally, and then you will become en- 



^8 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



raptured with its splendors. Meeting a friend here, and saluting 
another there, with a "Well I didn't ever expect to see you here" to 
another, but all the time absorbed in its glories. The way to enter 
is by the narrow bridge over the lake of time. The light shineth 
by day, and by night. To enter here you must truly begin with the 
lesson entitled "The Important Step." This is the point where so 
many fail. (Many are trying to slip into heaven by a back-door. 
Read John 3:1-14, special verse 12. 



PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE. 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 
1 Jno. 2:15. 

When Lady Huntingdon withdrew from the fashionable 
circles of the great, the line of conduct she thought proper to 
pursue naturally excited the enmity of those of her own rank, 
although she had a testimony in the consciences of them, as ap- 
peared even in their words, that what she did was right. One 
day at Court, the Prince of Wales inquired of Lady Charlotte 
Edwin, a lady of fashion, where my Lady Huntingdon was, that 
she so seldom visited the circle. Lady Charlotte replied with 
a sneer, "I suppose, praying with her beggars." The Prince 
shook his head, and turning to Lady Charlotte, said, "Lady 
Charlotte! when I am dying, I think I shall be happy to seize the 
skirt of Lady Huntingdon's mantle, to lift me up with her to 
heaven." 



THE SECRET OF IT. 

The Count of Toulouse was once asked by a friend how it 
was he had managed so completely to win the love of his 200 
servants. "Indeed," said the friend, "I believe there is not one 
of them that would not die to save your life." "That may be," 
replied the count, "but I would rather lost 200 lives than that 
any of them ^should suffer." That answer unconsciously ex- 
plained the whole matter. The servants loved their master be- 
cause he loved them. And it is this that explains the power of 
Christianity, which is not fundamentally a philosophy or even a 
theology, but centers in a person, Jesus Christ, of whom it was 
said by one of his most devoted followers : "We love him be- 
cause he first loved us." Christ's love for humanity is the 
ground of that passionate devotion to himself which, instead of 
passing from the earth, is daily increasing, and will yet claim 
all the sons of men. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



39 



THE INTRODUCTION. 

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, 
was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own 
brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, 
which is, being interpreted the Christ. And he brought him to 
Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the 
son of Jona : thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpreta- 
tion, A stone. Jno. I :4c, 42. — The following day Jesus would go 
forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow 
me. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto' him, We have found 
him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus 
of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, 
Can any good thing come out of Nazareth ? Philip said unto him, 




Come and see. Jno. 1 144,46. — And they came to Jericho ; and as 
he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of 
people, blind Bartimseus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway 
side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, 
he began to cry out and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy 
on me, Mark 10:46, 47. 

To every friendship there is always the beginning — the intro- 
duction. The Japanese ladies are being introduced. They never 
shake the hand, as is the custom in this country, but in a manner as 
is shown. It would be a difficult way for the American, and from 
outward appearance, it seems very tedious for them. To become a 
Christian this is a very necessary step. If you have no one to in- 
troduce you to Jesus, then you have the same privilege as Bartim- 
seus did. Let not that chance slip by you. It might be your last. 
Then think also about your father, mother, brothers and sisters. 



40 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



friends and neighbors, as did Andrew and Philip. "And this is 
life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus 
Christ, whom thou hast sent." Jno. 17:3. — To know of or about 
Jesus is not sufficient. You must know Him as your personal 
Savior and friend. He is the surest and truest friend a man can 
have. You are missing much if you do not personally know Him. 
Do you realize this? Read Matt. 24:29, 51 — , special verse 44. 



AM I A CHANNEL, OR A BARRIER? 

Dr. J. E. Carson, of New York City, said to his congrega- 
tion one Sunday morning, that every saved man was either a 
channel through which the Spirit of God was reaching the un- 
saved, or' a barrier preventing the Spirit from doing His work. 
One of the trustees of the church said to himself on the way 
home: "Am I a channel, or a barrier?" That night he could 
not sleep, and cried out: "O Lord, make me a channel!" Al- 
most the first thought that came was that there were some men 
in his employ to whom he had never spoken a word about Jesus 
Christ. He confessed his fault, and told the Lord that if he 
would make him a channel he would speak to these men. The 
first man that entered his office next morning was his confidential 
clerk, who had been with him eighteen years. The merchant 
said: ''Edward, haven't I been a good employer to you?" "Yes, 
sir." "Have not I treated you well?" "Yes, sir. Why, sir, 
what have I done," said the clerk, "that you are going to dis- 
charge me?" "Edward, I am on my way to heaven, and I want 
you to go with me." Tears came into the eyes of both men as 
Edward took the merchant's extended hand, and said : "I will 
sir." Doctor Carson afterwards received eleven men into his 
church because this trustee has consented to be a channel for the 
Holy Spirit. — J. W. Mahood. 



THE THREE LINKS. 

Who hath believed our report. Isa. 53.1. 

William Carter in a sermon to the outcasts of Londan, said : 
"Hear what Jesus declares : 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, he 
that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath 
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is 
passed from life unto life.' Here, my friends, there are three 
links in the blessed chain of truth — hearing, believing-, and having. 
The devil always tries to cut these links off, and give three links 
of his own forging, viz. — doing, praying, and feeling." God's 
way of salvation is clear, and plain when we get the right view of 
it. It is very easy to become side-tracked on the devil's plan. It 
takes one just near enough "to lose it." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



4i 



. TUNE-UP. 

And David and all Israel played before God with all their 
might,, and with singing and with harps. 1 Chron. 13 :8. — And 
the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast 
of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness : and the Levi- 
tes and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud 
instruments unto the Lord. 2 Chron. 30 :2i. — -Serve the Lord with 
gladness: come before his presence with singing. /Ps. 100:2. — 
Sing, O heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; and break forth into sink- 
ing, O mountains : for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will 
have mercy upon his afflicted. Isa. 49:13. — Therefore the re- 
deemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion ; 
and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain 
gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isa. 




51:11. — I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing 
praise to my God while I have my being. Ps. 104:33. — I will sing 
a new song unto thee, O God : upon a psaltry and instrument of 
ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. Ps. 144:9. — Speaking to 
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and 
making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5 :i9« 

Shakespeare said, "The man that hath not music in himself, 
and is not moved with accord of sweet sounds, is fit for treason, 
stratagems/and spoils; let no man trust him." I would say that 
such one is out of tune with God and needs to be tuned up by a 
touch of His love. The Japanese are not a musical people, yet they 
love music. I saw only one band in the country. They have 
specially trained singing girls, who play upon a kind of banjo, and 



42 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



there is about as much music to it, as I used to make, when a boy. 
upon my two-stringed corn-stalk fiddle. Their singing" is simply 
making a fearful humdrum noise, pitched at the highest or lowest 
note of the scale with scarcely anything in between; but a noise is 
always better than nothing. They always did their best so they 
w r ere to be praised for making even the noise. < The young woman 
is playing a different instrument, a harp, on Christmas Day, to a 
christian blind school in Yokohama. The christian songs are doing 
much to awaken the Japanese to a new life, as well as other peoples 
of the world. Sing such hymns as, ''Nearer my God to thee/'* 
"What a friend we have in Jesus," Pass me not, O gentle Savior," 
"Jesus lover of my soul," "There is a fountain filled with blood," 
"Just as I am without one plea," "Tell Mother I'll be there" and 
"Let Jesus come into your heart." Singing these precious songs 
will help you along the way. Sing! Sing!! Make a joyful noise 
anyway! Read Acts 12 — , special" verse 23. 



DO YOUR BEST. 

A minister tells how, when a boy, he was a great whistler, 
and sometimes whistled in unusually and unseemly places. One 
day, not long since, says an exchange, he came out of a hotel 
whistling quite low. A little boy playing in the yard heard him, 
and said: "Is that the best you can whistle?" 

'"No," said the minister, "can you beat it?" 

The boy said he could, and the minister said : "Well, let's 
hear you." 

The little fellow began to whistle, and then insisted that 
the minister should try again. He did so, and the boy acknowl- 
edged that it was good whistling, and as he started away the 
little fellow said : "Well, if you can whistle better, what were 
you whistling that way for?" 

The world has plenty of poor, slip-shod, third-class work 
done by people who could do better if they would. 



OUR MISSION IN LIFE. 

/Life is not a mere living. It is worship — it is the surrender 
of the soul to God; and the power to see the face of God; and it is 
service — it is to feel that when we die, whether praised or blamed, 
whether appreciated or misinterpreted, whether honored or ignored, 
whether wealthy or destitute — we have done something to make 
the world we came to better and happier — we have tried to cast 
upon the waters some seeds which, long after we are dead, may still 
'bring forth their flowers of Paradise. The seed dies, but the har- 
vest lives. Sacrifice is always fruitful, and there is nothing fruit- 
ful else. — Canon Farrar. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



43 



THE OLD. 

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things 
of old. Isa. 43 :i8. — Hast thou marked the old way which wicked 
men have trodden? Job. 22:15. — Behold, the Lord God will help 
me ; who is he that shall condemn me ? lo, they all shall wax old as 
a garment; the moth shall eat them up. Isa. 50 :g. — And the great 
dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, 
which deceiveth the whole world : he was cast out into the earth, 
and his angels were cast out with him. Rev. 12 :g. — Cast me not 
off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fail- 
eth. Ps. 71 :g. — Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may 
be made a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For Christ our pass- 
over is sacrificed for us. 1 Cor. 5 7. — That ye put off concerning" 




the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to 
the deceitful lusts. Eph. 4 -.22. — Therefore, if any man be in 
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, 
all things become new. 2 Cor. 5:17. 

The old way of transporting and traveling exhibited at the 
St. Louis Fair, showing the llama, burro, mule and horse. 

Life is progressive in both the spiritual and secular world. 
The conversion of a man spiritually is an instantaneous work of 
Grace, but there may be a gradual leading up to this point of life, 
as well as a gradual and progressive work in the life thereafter. 
There goes the old farmer with his old worn-out spring-wagon. 
The wheels wibble-wabble and clatter and cut up all sorts of fan- 
tastical capers till all the neighbors have it for a by-ward. He says 
to himself, "I ought to have a new one." He thinks, and thinks 
hard over the matter all the way to town. While in Ecuador, S. 



44 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



A., I went from Guayaquil, the seaport, to Quito, which is nearly 
two miles above the sea level. The first day was by a river steam- 
er. Then it took six days to climb the Andes mountains. The 
highest point reached, was 14,000 ft. at the foot of Mount Chim- 
borazo, which is 20,700 feet. There was no railroad, nor even a 
wagon road, but the narrow bridal path for the little mule, or the 
burro, the only means of conveyance for the past centuries. It 
was a wonderful trip, but six days on that little mule almost spoiled 
it. When night came I was tired and glad* to get rid of the little 
fellow, and when morning crept around I felt just as sorry to see 
him again. It is the old way of traveling. He just suited for the 
old times. Sinful man is traveling in and on the old way. He 
needs not an improvement, nor to be patched up, but an entire 
change of life. To put away the former things, the old past life 
with all its former worldly and sinful habits, and to take on the 
new. Who would think of using these old ways now? We have 
something new. Try it. Read Ps. 134 — , special verse 7. 



ONE SIN. 



iWhile I was walking in the garden one bright morning, a 
breeze came through and set all the flowers and leaves a fluttering. 
Now this is the way they talked, so I pricked up my ears and lis- 
tened. Presently, an old elder tree said, "Flowers, shake off your cat- 
erpillars !" "Why!'' said a dozen altogether, for they were like some 
children, who always say "Why," when they are told to do anything 
— bad children, those! The elder said, "If you don't they'll eat 
you up alive." So the flowers set themselves a shaking till the cat- 
erpillars were shaken off. In one of the middle beds there was a 
beautiful rose, who shook off all but one, and said to herself, "Oh, 
that's a beauty! I'll keep that one." The elder overhead her, and 
and called out, "One caterpillar is enough to spoil you." "But," 
said the rose, "look at his brown and crimson fur, and his beautiful 
black eyes, and scores of little feet ; I want to keep him ; surely one 
won't hurt me." A few mornings after, I passed the rose again; 
there was not a whole leaf on her; her beauty was gone; she was 
all but killed, and had only life' enough to weep over her folly, while 
the tears stood like dew-drops on her tattered leaves. "Alas ! I 
didn't think one caterpillar would ruin me." — C. A. Dams. 



If a man has got any religion worth the having, he will do 
his duty and not make a fuss about it. It is the empty kettle 
that rattles. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 45 



THE NEW. 

Behold, I will do a new thing ; now it shall spring forth ; shall 
ye not know it? flsa. 43 :io,. — Behold, the former things are come 
to pass, and new things do I declare ; before they spring forth I tell 
you of them. Isa. 42 :g. — They (blessings) are new every morn- 
ing; great is thy faithfulness. Lam. 3 123. — A new heart also will I* 
give you, and a new spirit will I put within you : and I will take away 
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of 
flesh. Ezek. 36:26. — By a new and living way, which he hath 
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his (Christ's) 
flesh. Heb. 10:20. — Therefore if. any man be in Christ, he is a 





l*| : ^ 


^f 
















jr Jlf|£^^HfH 








p»«W 


4§j3HHMi 


^*^^~L^- 






* 


m&Fj&SB 




*fl 


. 


■.. 




B Wk 






- 



new creature. 2 Cor. 5 117. — Nevertheless we, according to his 
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth 
righteousness. 2 Pet. 3:17. — And they sung a new song, saying, 
Thou (Jesus Christ) art worthy to take the book, and to open the 
seals thereof ; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, by 
thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. 
Rev. 5:9. 

When Solomon said, "there was no new thing under the sun,'' 
he spoke the truth. God has had for man from the beginning all 
that he has to-day. The wise and great king that he was, was sat- 
isfied with a chariot. He had all the elements for an automobile 
then as we have now. God says to us, My thoughts are not your 
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. Isa. 55 :8. — He gives 
these things to man in his own way and time. The old farmer 
hitches his horse in front of a certain store. A man comes out and 
says to him, "Don't you think you ought to get a new rig?" "I've 
been thinking about it," he replies. He goes into the shop and ex- 



46 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



changes his old wagon with some cash for the best new carriage in 
the house. In place of the frown, he carries home with him a glad 
heart. His neighbors rejoice and pass him now without fear of a 
wreck. His wife, sons and daughters are made happy. Every- 
thing about the home soon takes on a new aspect. Human nature 
is the same the world over, and is absolutely helpless without God 
aiding and controlling it. This is why he sent Jesus into the world 
to change the old order of things, and to bring in a new, particu- 
larly in the spiritual. The old way was "an eye for an eye, tooth 
for a tooth, and redemption through the sacrifice of animals." Now, 
it is love thy enemy, and thy neighbor as thyself, and redemption 
through the sacrifice that Jesus made upon the Cross. Jesus came 
that this old nature and spirit might be made new. He makes it 
possible for us to exchange our sinfulness for God's righteousness 
through his shed blood. See Rom. 3 124, 26. — This new man in 
the new way with a new hope shall sing a new song in a new heav" 
en. How wonderful ! Have you made the change ? Read Matt. 
.5:1-16. 



HOPE FOR SUCH. 



\A German prince visited the arsenal of Toulon, where a large 
number of men, condemned for different crimes, were working as 
galley slaves. The prince was told that, in compliment to his visit, 
he was allowed to free one of them. He inquired of first one, then 
another, the cause of his punishment. Each declared that he had 
been unjustly accused, or wrongfully arrested, till he came to a fine 
big man with a sorrowful face. He confessed what he had done, 
and said, "I acknowledge it, and I deplore it. I deserve my pun- 
ishment." Turning to the officers, the prince exclaimed, "This 
is the man for whose release I make request. He is the first I have 
found who feels he has done wrong and has anything to be forgiv- 
en." Does God ever have to say to us, "Behold, I will plead with 
thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned?" 



TWO FACES. 



When Rev. Roland Hill at one time was in Scotland, he 
was introduced to an aged minister, somewhat resembling himself 
in piety and eccentricity. The old man looked at him for some 
time very earnestly, and at length said : "Weel, I have been 
looking for some teem at the ieens of your face." "And what 
do you think of it?" said Mr. Hill. "Why, I am thinking that 
if the Grace of God had not changed your heart, you would be 
a most tremendous rogue." Mr. Hill laughed heartily, and said : 
"Well, you have just hit the nail on the head.' ,r 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



\7 



HALF-WAY BUSINESS. 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this 
day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers 
served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the 
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell, but as for me and my house, we 
will serve the Lord. Josh. 24:15. — And thou, Solomon my son. 
know thou the God of thy fathers, and serve him with a perfect 
heart and with a willing mind : for the Lord searcheth all hearts, 
and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts : if thou 
seek, him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will 
cast thee off forever. 1 Chron. 28 :g. — No man can serve two 
.masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else 
he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve 




God and mammon. Matt. 6 -.24, — Because thou servedst not the 
Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the 
abundance of all things : therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies 
which the Lord shall send upon thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and 
in want of all things. Dent. 28 47, 48. — I beseech you therefore, 
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a liv- 
ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. which is your reasonable 
service. Rom. 12:1. — For God's my witness, whom I serve with 
my spirit in the gospel of his son, that without ceasing I make men- 
tion of you always in my prayers. Rom. 1 :o,. 

The Swan is used at Sioux City, Iowa, only during the short 
season, and the remainder of the year lies idle. It rusts, and gets 
out of working order generally, and must be overhauled, before it 



48 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



is fit for service again. There are many church members like this 
little boat. They take quite an active interest for a little while dur- 
ing the year, and then want to take a lay off for the rest, and let 
everything go to smash. Then it takes an extra preacher, and a 
revival to get them ready for service again. The Lord will not 
bless half-way (half-hearted) business in his service. "Thou shalt 
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with 
all thy mind. Matt. 22 \^y. Read Malachi 3 — , special verse 10. 



SHE HAPPIED HIM UP. 

jAgnes is a little girl with such a bright, happy face that it is a 
pleasure to look at her. 

One day, in answer to her mother's call, she came running- 
home from a neighbor's tAvo or three doors away. 

Jler eyes were so bright, her lips so smiling, that her mother 
smiled too. 

Do you want me mother ?" asked Agnes. 

"No, dear," said her. mother. "Not for anything important. 
I missed you, that is all. Where were you, daughter?" 

"At the Browns'. And oh, mother, Walter was cross, but I 
happied him up, so that he got all over it ; and then the baby cried, 
and I had to happy her up ; then someone stepped on the kitten's 
tail, and I was just going to happy her up when you called me." 

The mother laughed. 

"Why, what a happyingf time you had ! It must make you 
happy yourself to happy up little boys, and babies, and kittens, for 
you look as happy as possible.." 

And this is true, dear girls. The more Ave try to make others 
happy, the happier Ave shall be ourselves. Then put aAvay frowns 
and pouting lips. Try to "hapuv up" those avIio are troubled, 
cross or sick and soon you will find yourself so happy that your 
face will shine with smiles. 



HE PLANTED FOR OTHERS. 
The poor man avIio seeks to help, even in the smallest Avay, but 
with a right spirit, his felloAV men, is of infinitely greater Avorth to 
the race than the man of millions, Avhose chief aim and end are his 
OAvn pleasure. A poor and aged man AA^as seen planting an apnle 
tree and Avas someAvhat rudely accosted by a stranger who said, 
"Why do you plant trees when you cannot possibly live long enough 
to eat the fruit of them?" The poor man raised himself and lean- 
ing on his shovel said : "Someone planted trees before I was born, 
and I have eaten the fruit ; I iioav plant for others, that the memorial 
of my gratitude may exist Avhen I am dead and gone." That is 
the Christian point of vieAV. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



49 



PRAYER. 

Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that 
are escaped of the nations : they have no knowledge that set up the 
wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 
Isa. 45 :20. — Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray 
unto me, and I will hearken unto you. Jer. 29 :i2. — Hearken unto 
the voice of my cry, my King, and my God : for unto thee will I 
pray. Ps. 5 :2. — But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closer, 
and when thou hast shut thv door, pray to thy Father which is in 
secret ; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee open- 
ly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: 
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 
Matt. 6 :6, 7. — If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not 




hear me. Ps. 66:18. — Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye 
shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you : for every one 
that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that 
knocketh it shall be opened. Matt. 7 :j, 8. — And he spake a parable 
unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to 
faint. Luke 18:1. — What is it then? I will pray with the spirit 
and I will pray with the understanding also. 1 Cor. 14:15. 

A prayerless person is a perishing person. The one thing the 
Christian will do, that is to pray. It is the natural thing for the 
one depending on God, his Father, to do. The Japanese temple you 
see, is a small one, possibly twelve feet square. There is placed 
in it a bronze idol. Just below and in front of the idol is a wooden 
box with bars across the top, in which the offerings are cast. You 
see the rope suspended from the top and a bell attached to it. Most 
of the people when they go to worship, just take hold of the rope 



50 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



and ring the bell (to call the attention of their god) and clap their 
hands three times and then bow the head and offer a short prayer. 
It is seemingly all done in a moment. One thing is always certain 
before they pray, and that is to make their offering in money. If 
you do not know how to pray, then do as the disciples did, say, 
"Lord teach me how to pray" and then keep at it. He will not pay 
any attention to the mistakes of your language, for he looks at the 
heart what it says. I Sam. 16:7. Read Acts 17:10-34, special 

verse 23. 

A PAUSE IN THE PRAYER. 

"If I should die 'fore I wake," said Donny, kneeling at 
grandmother's knee, "'f I should die 'fore I wake" — 

"I pray," prompted the gentle voice. "Go on, Donny." 

"Wait a minute," interposed the small boy, scrambling to 
his feet and hurrying away downstairs. In a brief space he 
was back again, and, dropping down in his place took up his 
petition where he had left it. But when the little white-gowned 
form was safely tucked in bed, the grandmother questioned with 
loving rebuke concerning the interruption. 

"But I did think what I was savin', grandmother; that's 
why I had to stop. You see, I'd upset Ted's menagerie, and 
all his wooden soldiers on their heads, just to see how he'd tear 
'round in the mornin'. But 'f I should die 'fore I wake, why — ■ 
I didn't want him to find 'em that way, so I had to go down and 
fix 'em right. There's lots of things that seem funny if you're 
goin' to keep on livin', but you don't want 'em that way if you 
should die 'fore you wake." 

"That was right, dear; it was right," commended the voice 
with its tender quaver. "A good many of our prayers wouldn't 
be hurt by stopping in the middle of them to undo a wrong." — 
The Children's Friend. 



THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF LIFE. 

The Arabs have a saying about the palm tree, that it stands 
with its feet in salt water and its head in the sun. They often 
cannot drink the brackish water found in the oasis where the palm 
grows, but they tap the tree and drink the sweet palm sap. 

The palm tree, by the magic of its inner life, can so change 
the elements found in the unkindly soil around it that they minister 
to its growth and strength and fruit-bearing. So we, in our earthly 
life, must often have our feet in the mire and bitterness of sin 
around us ; and upon our heads will beat the fierce heat of tempta- 
tion. But in spite of these things, we shall be able to grow and 
grow strong, if within there is the making of a new life through 
Jesus Christ. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 51 



PRIDE AND VANITY. 

'Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a 
fall. Prov. 16:18. — A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor 
shall uphold the humble in spirit. Prov. 29:23. — The pride of 
thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of 
the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who 
shall bring me down to the ground? Obadiah 1 :3. — And they re- 
jected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, 
and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they fol- 
lowed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen* that 
were around about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged 
them, that they should not do like them. 2 Kings 17:15. — I have 
not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 
Ps. 26 '.4. — Thou wilt save the afflicted people ; but wilt bring down 
high looks. Ps. 18 127. — Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the 
proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Jas. 4:6. — If a man 




think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth 
himself. Gal. 6:3. — Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth 
take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10:12. 

This is a portion of Butte City, Mont., showing some of the 
famous copper mines. These mines were very interesting to me, 
but this little girl was too, for she seemed to be "bigger" in her 
own estimation than everything else in the world. A pretty little 
girl she was, but so full of pride and vanity, because of her peculiar 
curls and cow-boy trousers, which the other boys and girls did not 
have. We find that the people older than she, are sometimes pos- 
sessed with this same sort of feeling. Pride is not always hidden 
under silks and satins, but quite often crops out from under the 



52 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



meanest kind of garb. It is dangerous to the soul of man, where- 
ever it may dwell. These terrible things cheat many lives out oi 
happiness, and peace, and heaven. Read Psalm 119:33-48. 



PERISHING. 



And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, 
we die, Ave perish, we all perish. Num. 17:12. — The wicked shall 
see it and be grieved ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt 
away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Ps. 112:10. — The 
hope of the righteous shall be gladness : but the expectation of 
the wicked shall perish. Prov. 10:28. — I tell you, Nay: but, 
except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3. — And 




I (Jesus) give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, 
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Jno. 10:28. — 
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because 
thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with 
money. Acts 8 .20. — The Lord is not slack concerning his 
promise, as some count slackness : but is longsuffering to us-ward, 
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to 
repentance. 2 Pet. 3 :g. 

The house is in Butte, Montana. The fire is raging within, 
and the firemen are doing their utmost to save the building. It is 
perishing. Man is in the like condition. The terrible fire of sin 
is raging within, and w T ill cause the soul to be lost, unless there is 
a turning unto the stream that never fails — Jesus, the Saviour, 
the friend of the sinner. Do you realize your own danger ? Read 
Mark 2:1-12, special verse 9. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



53 



THE GATES. 

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the 
truth may enter in. Isa. 26 :2. — Enter into his gates with thanks- 
giving, and into his courts with praise : be thankful unto him, and 
bless his name. Ps. 100:4. — Open to me the gates of righteous- 
ness : I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord. This gate of 
the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. Ps. 118:19. 2c. — 
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be lifted up, ye everlasting 
doors ; and the King of glory shall come in. Ps. 24 :y. — Blessed is 
the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at 
the posts of my doors. Prov. 8 :34. And the gates shall not be 
shut at all by day : for there shall be no night there. Rev. 21 125. — 
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen. 18 125. 

The Eastern Cities were generally enclosed by high walls and 




at certain parts of this wall there were gates, which were opened in 
the morning and closed in the evening. In these gates the Kings 
and Judges sat to hear the causes or complaints of the people, as 
our judges do in the courts of to-day. See Deut. 16:18, 1 Sam. 
8 14, 5. — Far up in the mountains of Japan is a place called Ashinoyu, 
which consists mainly of one large hotel. When the guests arrive, 
they are met at the gate and ushered into the hotel. If you are a 
Foreigner, then you go into the foreign department, and if a Jap- 
anese, then into their department. The German Army Officer is 
near the Japanese entrance. In this life we ought to take all our 
causes to the gates of the Great Judge of all the earth, and have 
them settled by and with him. And we should surely open the 
gates of our hearts to let the King of Glory (Jesus) come in and 
rule, if there is a desire on cur part to enter the gates where there 
is no more night. Read John 4:1-43, special verse 42. 



54 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



LITTLE CARES. 

Be careful for nothing : but in every thing by prayer and sup- 
plication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto 
God. Phil. 4 :6. — Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall 
sustain thee : He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps. 
55:22. — Casting all your care upon him: for He careth for you. 
1 Pet. 5:7. 

Little cares should be brought to the Lord. Some persons 
will bring their great cares to Him, but not their little cares. But 
this is foolish. It is the little cares of life that wear the heart 
out. One of the most cruel torments of the Inquisition was to 
place the poor victim beneath a trap, and let the cold water fall- 
upon the head drop by drop. This was not felt at first, but at 
last the monotony of the water dropping always on one spot be- 
came almost unendurable : the agony was too great to be expressed. 
It is just so with little cares. When they keep constantly falling 
drop by drop upon one individual they tend to produce irritation, 
calculated to make life nigh insuooortable. To prevent this, then, 
God would have us take our little trials to Him as well as the 
great trials, and that, too, because we often bear up more bravely 
under the greater and faint under the lesser. 



THE JUSTICE OF GOD. 

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his 
works. Ps. 145:17. — The just Lord is in the midst thereof: he 
will not do iniquity : every morning does he bring his judgment 
to light, he faileth not : but the unjust knoweth no shame. Zeph. 
3:5. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end: but 
establish the just : for the righteous God trieth the hearts and 
reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked 
every day. Ps. 7:9-11. — For the Lord your God is God of gods, 
and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and terrible which re- 
gardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. Deut. 10:17. — Because 
he hath appointed a clay, in the which he will judge the world in 
righteousness by that man (Jesus Christ) whom he hath given 
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 
Acts 17:31. — In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men 
by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Rom. 2:16. — And as 
it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. 
Heb. 9:27. — What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness 
with God? God forbid. Rom. 9:14. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



55 



THE LIVING WATER. \ 

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor 
sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, 
even by the springs of water shall he guide them. Isa. 49:10. — 
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; 
for they shall be filled. Matt. 5 :6. — Jesus answered and said unto 
her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But who- 
soever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst ; 
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, 
springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, 




- HOT SPRINGS S. D. PEOPLE WAITING TO GET A DRINK. 

Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to 
draw. Jno. 4:13-15. — Ho, every one that thirsteth, come to the 
waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, 
come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isa. 
55 :i. — They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither 
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is 
in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto 
living fountains of water. Rev. 7:16,17. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



A small stream of water flows out of the rock just back of the 
stand. It is a mineral water, and is said to be good for the healing 
of certain diseases. People go there from many parts of the country 
to drink of this water. But we read that there is an eternal foun- 
tain of living water open to all and for all. We need not travel 
afar to find it, nor pay money to get it. The invitation is sent di- 
rectly to you. Listen ! "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. 
And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst 
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." 
Rev. 22:17. Jesus, the Lord of heaven, bids you, Come and take 
of this ever-flowing fountain. It satisfies. Read Rev. 3 — , special 
verse 2t. 



GOD'S ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

Mr. Spurgeon tells of a young woman who was in great con- 
cern about her soul. "I placed Christ before her very plainly, but 
she did not seem to understand the way. One morning she came 
to me after service. 'Dear sir, will you pray for me?' She was 
thunderstruck when I said 'No.' 'But, sir, I am anxious to be 
saved; won't you pray for me?' 'No.' 'O sir, you don't mean it.' 
'I do. I have set Jesus Christ before you; if you will not have 
him, there is no use praying; you will be lost. There is no other 
way, and I don't want there should be any other way. Will you 
have Christ, or will you not?' There was a pause; then she said, 
'Yes, I will, if I may.' 'May? He has put it, "He that believeth 
shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." Surely 
you may have him, when there is such a dreadful threatening 
against unbelief.' 'Well, I will.' 'Then let us get down directly 
and pray now. If you are willing to obey God's command, then 
we may pray.' We did pray," said Mr. Spurgeon, "and I am sure 
that young woman has never doubted that she was saved from 
that hour. If you won't believe in Jesus, all the praying between 
heaven and earth won't save you. But if you seek him in simple 
faith, soon shall you say with rejoicing — T have found him whom 
my soul loveth, and I will never let him go.' " 



When Lord Peterborough lodged for a season with Fenelon, 
Archbishop of Cambray, he was so delighted with his piety and 
virtue, that he exclaimed at parting, "If I stay here any longer 
I shall become a Christian in spite of myself!" 



Let your light so shine before men that they may see your 
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 

5: 16. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



57 



ABUNDANCE. 

O generation of vipers (hypocrites) ; how can ye, being evil, 
speak good things ? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth 
speaketh. Matt. 12 134. — For by one man's offense death reigned 
by one ; much more they which receive abundance of grace and the 
gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Rom. 
5:17. — And he (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed, and beware of 
covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the 
things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15. — And the Lord passed 
by before him (Moses), and proclaimed, Thy Lord, the Lord God, 
merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and 
truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and trans- 
gression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty. Ex, 




34 :6, 7. — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto 
a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I 
Pet. 1 13. — The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and 
to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that 
they might have it more abundantly. Jno. 10 :io. — Now unto him 
(God) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we 
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Eph. 3 :2c 
They are loading iron ore at Eveleth, Minn., right from the 
mine into the car. The brush and many feet of the surface of the 
earth have been removed, until the body of ore was reached. In 
most mines it is necessary to pick the ore loose, but here they can 
scoop it up by the tons. Abundance is the proper word. Would 
it not be folly for the owners of this mine to use the pick and shovel ? 



58 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



Many people are doing this very things when God offers them so 
much. If we could only get away the brush and surface of sin. 
Christ came that all might have new life, peace and joy now, and 
have them more abubndantly. Are you living a life of misery and 
darkness, or are you scooping up some of the wonderful blessings 
of life — hope, joy, peace and contentment as you go along? Read 
Romans 3 — , special verse 31. 



BLIND TO OPPORTUNITIES. 

There is a story that Queen Victoria of England, in one of 
her wanderings among the cottages of the poor, was caught in a 
shower. Entering the dwelling of an old woman, she said : 

"Will you lend me an umbrella?" 

"I hae twa unbrellas," said the old woman; "ane is a guid 
ane, t'other verra old. You may take this; I guess I'll never see 
it again," and she handed over the old umbrella, which showed 
its ribs through its coarse, torn cover. The visitor took the um- 
brella, which was better than nothing, and went forth into the 
rain. The next day one of Her Majesty's servants returned the 
umbrella, and then the cottager knew what she had missed. 

"Ay, ay; had I but kenned who it was that asked for the 
loan, she wad hae been welcome to the best of a' that I hae in 
the world," exclaimed the mortified old woman. She had missed 
her opportunity ; she did not know her visitor. 

,To the woman by Jacob's well the Saviour said, "If thou 
knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give 
me to drink, thou wonkiest have asked of Him, and He would have 
given thee living water." Jno. 4:10. 



THE SURE GUIDE. 

The late Dr. Andrew A. Bonar related the following incident : 
"A man once asked me, Ts not conscience a safer guide than the 
Holy Spirit?' I just took out my watch and said, Ts not my 
watch better than the sun?' Suppose that I said to you, T will 
tell you the hour by my watch, and you must always take the 
time from me.' That is conscience. It is the sun that is to rule 
the time. Conscience is fallen and corrupt. If we had an un- 
fallen conscience, like lioly Adam, it would be as if my watch 
were always to agree with the sun. But now it is a most unsafe 
guide. Sometimes we hear men say, 'I don't see any harm in 
this practice; my conscience doesn't condemn it.' It is not your 
conscience or your consciousness that is the rule of right and 
wrong; the law is the standard. By the law is the knowledge 
of sin; sin is the transgression of the law, not of conscience." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 59 



CAUSE OF FAILURE. 

Therefore thus saith the Lord, behold, I will plead thy cause, 
and take vengeance for thee: and I will dry up her seas (wicked 
Babylon), and make her springs dry. Jer. 51 :$6. — Behold, he 
(God) withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth 
them out, and they overturn the earth. Job. 12:15. — And Jesus 
said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and look- 
ing back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9 '.62. — For Demas 
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed 
unto Thessalonica. .2 Tim. 4:10. — Holding faith, and good con- 
science; which some having put away concerning faith have made 
shipwreck. 1 Tim. 1 119. — Ye (the Christian) are the salt of the 
earth : but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be 




salted ? it is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden 
under foot. Matt. 5:13. — I marvel that ye are so soon removed 
from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gos- 
pel. Gal. 1 :6. — Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, be- 
cause thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from 
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or else 
I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick 
(Holy Spirit) out of his place, except thou repent. Rev. 2:4, 5. 
A failure establishes only this, that our determination to suc- 
ceed was not strong enough, that is, not having gotten a proper 
grasp on the thing undertaken. This is true in the spiritual things, 
as well as the temporal affairs of life. See the terrible failures in 
the business world, the lives wrecked and ruined. The sad failures 
many make in the spiritual life. The picture shows two active 
geysers and one "dead one" — the hole. No doubt, it was at one 



6o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



time as active, interesting, and beautiful as the rest of them, but 
something- happened to its life. There are many causes for failure 
in the christian life. Neglecting the prayer season, forgettin~ the 
church duties, which God gives one to do; letting the worldly things 
absorb the moments that ought to be driven to things eternal, h^ 
grieving the Holy Spirit of God (see Eph. 4:30), he withdraws 
his presence, and consequently indifference and coldness sets in, 
and life will dry up as does the grass before the parching sun. As 
the apostle Paul has said, "One thing I do, forgetting those things 
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are 
before." Phil. 3 :i3. — If you have tried and lost your grip in some 
way, then remember that Christ is your Advocate with God. 1 
Jno. 2 : 1 . — Take courage and determine to press on, and say with 
David, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me 
with thy free spirit." Ps. 5.1 :i2. Read. 2 Thes. 5—,. special. verse 21. 



UNHEEDED WARNINGS. 

A man and his wife, with her brother, were at White River 
with a sled heavily loaded, the dogs worn with travel and weary 
almost to death. They were trying to reach Dawson in their 
search for gold. An experienced traveler told them, "The bot- 
tom's likely to drop out of the trail at any moment," and that 
only fools, with the blind luck of fools, could have come thus far. 
"All the same," is the reply, "we'll go to Dawson." The traveler 
watched till they were a quarter of a mile away, crawling along 
over the ice. Suddenly they saw the back end of the sled drop 
down, as into a rut, and the gee-pole, with one of the men clinging 
to it, jerk into the air. The woman's scream came to his ears. 
He saw the other man turn and make one step to run back, and 
then a whole section of ice gave way, and dogs and humans dis- 
appeared. A yawning hole was all that was to be seen. The bot- 
tom had dropped out of the trail. 

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit ; there is more hope 
of a fool than of him. He that, being often reproved, hardeneth 
his neck, shall suddenly be cut off. Prov. 29:1. 



WORKING AND RUSTING, 

Two plow-shares were once made by the same blacksmith, 
in the same smithy, from the same kind of iron, and both bought 
by the same farmer. One was used at once, and the other laid 
by and became rusty. After some time the unused one was brought 
out, and upon seeing its colleague "all bright" exclaimed, "Oh, 
what a difference ! What makes you so bright ? I feel quite ashamed 
to be seen." It is the use of your life that makes it brighter. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



61 



FILLED. 

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall 
come : and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. 
Hag. 2 :y. — Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and 
peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power 
of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15 113. — He hath filled the hungry with 
good things : the rich he hath sent empty away. Luke 1 153. — 
But Peter said, Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie 
to the Holy Spirit? Acts 5 13. — And they were all filled with the 
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit 
gave them utterance. Acts 2 14. — And when they had prayed, the 
place was shaken where they were assembled together : and the)' 
were all filled with, the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of 
God with boldness. Acts 4:31. — And the disciples were filled with 




joy, and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13 152. — And Ananias went 
his way, and entered into the house : and putting his hands on him 
said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared unto thee in 
the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive 
thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17. — And be 
not drunk with wine, wherein is excess : but be filled with the 
(Holy) Spirit. Eph. 5 :i8. — For this cause we also, since the day 
we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye 
might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and 
spiritual understanding. Col. 1 19. 

A creek is running by the side of the spring. 

A Spanish proverb is, "He that loseth wealth, loseth much : 
he that loseth friends, loseth more: but he that loseth his spirits, 
loseth all." This is quite true of the worldly minded people, as 
well as the professed Christian. The Christian has a power great- 



62 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



er, however, than his own spirit to depend upon. The Holy Spirit 
of God must come in and possess the life, or there will be a blank 
failure. King Saul failed when God removed the Spirit from him, 
and David gained when he was filled with the Spirit (see i Sam. 
16:13, 14). Peter failed before he received the Holy Spirit into 
his life, even denied his. Lord, but afterward never. Life is repre- 
sented in Revelation 3:15, 16 as hot — boiling, cold — icy cold, or 
lukewarm. In this connection we may learn what this signifies 
from Cliff Spring in the Yellowstone Park. The water in it is 
always boiling. It keeps filled, and a regular portion over-flowing 
the sides, thus warming up everything round about. Saint Paul 
exhorts us to "Be filled with the Holy Spirit." He brings new 
life, new ideals, new sympathy into the life, and the over-flow of 
these will reach out to some one else. Your life will be warmed- 
up and blessed, and you will be a blessing to others about you. 
Read 1 Tim. 4 — , special verse 7. 



A CAUSE OF TROUBLE. 

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit 
within you: and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, 
and will give them an heart of flesh. Ezek. 11 : 19. 

Theodore Monod made use of a beautiful illustration one 
time. He said, "If a piece of iron could speak, what would it 
say? It would say, T am black, I am cold, I am hard.' Per- 
fectly true. But put that piece of iron into a furnace and wait 
awhile, and what would it say? 'The blackness is gone, and the 
coldness is gone, and the hardness is gone' — it has passed into 
a new experience. But if that piece of iron could speak, surely 
it would not glory in itself, because the fire and the iron are two 
distinct things that remain distinct to the last. If it could glory 
it would glory in the fire, and that not of itself, but in the fire 
that kept in a bright and molten mass. So in myself, I am 
black, I am cold, and I am hard : but if the Lord takes posses- 
sion of my soul, if I am filled with love, if His Spirit fills my 
being, the blackness will go, and yet the glory does not belong 
to me, but to the Lord who< keeps me in a sense of His love." 



HARDENING CONSCIENCE. 
The first film of ice is scarcely perceptible. Keep the water 
stirring and you will prevent the ice from freezing. But once 
it films over and remain so, it thickens over the surface, and it 
thickens still. At last it is so solid that a wagon might be drawn 
over the frozen water. So> with our conscience. It films over 
gradually, and at last it becomes hard, unfeeling; and then it 
can bear a weight of iniquity. — Bishop Simpson. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 63 



THE DEVIL'S SLIDE, 

Be sober, be vigilant : because your adversary the devil, as a 
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Pet. 
5 :8. — Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father 
ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not 
in the truth, because there was no truth in him. Jno. 8 144. — And 
supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas 
Iscariot, Simons son, to betray him, (Jesus). Jno. 13:2. — Then 
cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, 
lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8 :i2. — And no marvel : 
for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Cor. 
11:14. — If the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in 
whom the god (the devil) of this world hath blinded the minds of 
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of 




Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 
4 :3, 4. — Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to 
stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against 
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against 
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in 
high places. Eph. 6:11, 12. — Lest Satan should get an advantage 
of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor. 2:11. 

The view shows Cinnabar Mountain north of the Yellowstone 
Park. The white streak is a wall of reddish rock formation sup- 
posed at one time to be Cinnabar. It runs up the mountain about 
2000 feet. It looked like the workmanship of a master stone-ma- 
son so well laid. Indeed it was laid by the Master of all masters. 
From some cause it has received the name of "The Devil's Slide.'' 
St. Paul tells us that, "Some have already turned aside after the 
devil." 1 Tim. 5:15. — So I find many people getting into diffi- 



64 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



culties by wilfully playing around the devil's slide. Many people 
come to me with the question, "Do you believe in a personal Devil ?" 
There is only one answer. That is "yes." The Devil, Satan, Evil 
One, Serpent and other names refer to the same person in the Bible. 
He was the high angel of God. He is a spiritually created Being 
of vast power. Through his exalted position and his pride he fell 
into open rebellion against God. Being a Spirit he is unseeable by 
the human eye. He is called the prince (Eph. 2 :i) or god of this 
world. He is attempting to foil God in his plan with man. Man 
is his special objective. The demons are the subordinate angels 
that fell with him. They have a regularly organized system or gov- 
ernment in opposition to God over the human beings on this mother 
earth. Adam and Eve listened to him. Man is by nature sinful. 
He appears as an angel of light to deceive men into ways of wick- 
edness against God. A man thus deceived is in his power, and 
does his bidding at every turn. All that the devil desires of man is 
that he disobey God's laws, thereby dishonoring God. He sets to 
work in man's heart the enticing and unlawful desires which lead 
him into doubting God and into sin. Then man loses self-control. 
The ball keeps on rolling down the mount, adding more sin, and 
going faster. For this reason God sent Jesus into the world to 
stop the ball, and bring it back to the top of the mount. To re- 
deem man from sin, and set him aright again. St. John says : "For 
this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy 
the works of the devil." Through Jesus Christ man can overcome 
the power of Satan. In himself he cannot. Satan is the cause of 
all the sin, sickness and sorrow in the world. What havoc he has 
played! Every cemetery, every funeral, and every separation by 
death owes its existence to the devil. He makes preachers in the 
pulpit preach a "soft" gospel. Never to mention the traitor's name 
— Judas Iscariot, nor whisper even about the Cross on Calvary, nor 
the Resurrection. As a transformed angel of light he draws a veil 
over the gospel just thick enough to hide from man the view of 
Jesus Christ as a Savior from sin. He is a blind leader of the 
blind, and he with all his followers will fall into the pit before they 
are aware of it. St. James gives man the remedy when he says, 
"Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from 
you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Jas. 
4 7, 8. — Read Ps. 4. 



One life : a little gem of time between two eternities : no second 
chance to us forevermore.' — Thomas Carlyle. 



Herein is my lather glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so 
shall ye be my disciples. John 15: 8. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



6f> 



IDOLS. 

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the 
land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no 
other gods before me. Ex. 20:2, 3. — And when he (the Kin^) 
had broken down the altars, and the groves, and had beaten the 
graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout 
all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. 2 Chron. 34 :y. — 
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Ps. 115 : 
4. — Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was 
stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Acts 
17:16. — For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering 
in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve 




the living and true God. 1 Thes. 1 :g. — Little children, keep your- 
selves from idols. ijno. 5 121. — Charge them that are rich in this 
world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, 
but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things. I Tim. 6:17. 
These are Buddha idols made of bronze. In fact, it is one idol 
in two positions. They are located just outside of the large temple 
gate which is shown on another page. The one is praying, and the 
other giving his blessing. This is the god of most of the Japanese, 
Chinese, and also the Indian in Southern Asia. It seems to be the 
way of the natural man to worship something visible. This is why 
God gave to us the Second Commandment. Ex. 20:1-4. — How- 
ever, there are many kinds of idols in this world besides those of 
bronze. Whatever we put between God and us on which the heart 
becomes fastened, is an idol worshipped, and is a sin. It may be 
our money, property, intellectual gifts, our manner of dress, the 



66 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



display of jewelry on our person, the deck of cards, the Sunday 
morning newspaper, etc. St. Paul says, Even covetousness is idol- 
atry. Col. 3 15. — In fact, anything which provokes pride in the 
heart, or comes between us and the worship of God. When the 
worshippers of the bronze idols receive Jesus Christ for their Savior 
and Lord they put away their idols. Have you put yours away? 
You know what they are better than anybody else. 

"The dearest idol I have known, 
. Whate'er that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from thy throne, 
And worship only thee'' ? 

Read Eph. 4 — , special verse 32. 



TIME TO THINK. 

An old man lay on his death-bed, and beside him was his 
son, a worldly-minded youth. The father, who had long yearned 
for the conversion of his boy, now asked him to grant a favor ere 
he died : and the dying request could not be refused. "Promise 
me," said the father, "that for six months after my death you will 
retire to my room for a half-hour every day and THINK. "About 
what?" said the son. "That I leave to yourself," answered the 
father, and soon died. The youth kept his promise, and for some 
time had no difficulty in passing the half-hour. But soon the 
thought of eternity, and the condition of his soul, came up before 
his mind. His father had taken care that the lad should have 
time to THINK: and ere long the half-hour had lengthened into 
hours, as he sat thinking on his eternal well-being. Thus he was 
led to the Bible, and led to believe on Jesus and was saved. Could 
you bear to be alone for half an hour, pondering the great ques- 
tion, "Where will I spend ETERNITY?" 



WINDOWS IN THE FACE. 

Is it not true that there are windows in our faces? Once an 
Afghan passed a single hour in the presence of the saintly Dr. 
William Marsh, of England. It was only a few short minutes, 
and yet, when in after days the poor heathen learned that the good 
doctor was dead he cried passionately : "His religion shall now 
be my religion ; his God shall be my God ! I must go where he is 
and see his face again !" So the Christlike character revealed in 
the face had determined one who had formerly been a heathen to 
become a Christian. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



67 



IMPROVE THE TIME. 

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, 
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. 1 Thes. 
4:11. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and 
hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 
Tim. 3 114. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and 
a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Prov. 1 15. 
— As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill 
in all learning and wisdom : and Daniel had understanding in all 
visions and dreams. Dan. 1 \iy. — For whatsoever things were 
written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through 
patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. ORom. 15 : 
4. — Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that 
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 
Tim. 2:15. 




A Japanese sewing class in a mission school in Hakodate, 
Japan. The teacher is at the right, and the fire-box or stove in 
front. These girls were once pagans, but now Christ's love reigns 
in their hearts. They are bright students and are willing workers. 
They study that their lives may be useful and fruitful, both in the 
spiritual and the secular things. God says to us, "Redeem the 
time." Eph. 5:16. As every thread of gold is valuable, so is 
every moment of time. 

"Spend your time in nothing which you know must be repented 
of ; in nothing on which you might not pray for the blessing of God ; 
in nothing which you could not review with a quiet conscience on 
your dying bed ; in nothing which you might not safely and properly 
be found doing if death should surprise you in the act." — Baxter. 



68 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



The devil says, "Pass the time." God says, "Redeem the 
time." Read Ruth i — , special verse 16. 



SECRET THINGS. 

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God : but those 
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for- 
ever, that we may do all the words of his law. Deut. 29 :2Cj. — 
Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom 
to thyself? Job 15:8. — For God shall bring every work into 
judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether 
it be evil. Eccles. 12:14. — Who can understand his errors? 
cleanse thou me from secret faults. Ps. 19:12. — Shall not God 
search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Ps. 
44:21. 




The building stands in one of the temple courts in Tokio, 
Japan. I could get no clue to its real meaning for the position it 
held. Failing to find out its purpose, I set it down as one of 
the hidden things to me. God has revealed some things to us 
and for us in this life, but there are many others that man will 
not be able to fathom here on earth. He withholds them for 
our good, and his glory. Should we not use those that he has 
given to us before trying to pry into other mysteries? Then, 
too, there may be our secret sins that may be hidden from man, 
but do you know that God will search them out ? It might be well 
also to keep our own secrets, (if we should have any), boxed 
up a little more than we do, for our own benefit as well as for 
others. Franklin says, "Three may keep a secret, if two of them 
are dead." Read Joshua 1 — , special verse 5. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



69 



A CAVE. 

For as he (man) thinketh in his heart so is he. Prov. 23 :7. 
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: 
who can know it? Jer. 17:9. — Shall not God search this out? for 
he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Ps. 44:21. — But God be 
thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from 
the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Rom. 6:17. 
For we commend not ourselves, again unto you, but give you 
occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to 
answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. 2 Cor. 
5 :i2. — Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matt. 
5 :8. — But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 




have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre- 
pared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2 :g. — Search me, O God, 
and know my heart. Ps. 139:23. — Create in me a clean heart, O 
God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51 :io. — The Lord 
is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart ; and saveth such as 
be of a contrite spirit. Ps. 34:18. 

The small round black spot in the ground is the original open- 
ing to the now famous "Wind Cave/' Hot Springs, S. D. It was 
discovered in 188 1 by a cowboy riding down the gulch after a deer. 
He heard a strange noise, it is said, and went to> examine it. When 
he .attempted to look into the mysterious hole, the out-coming cur- 
rent blew his hat high into the air. Informing his companions, 
the next day they went with him to see it also, doubting his fairy 
tale. Nearing it again with his hat in his hand, said, "watch it 
carry my hat into the air," but the opposite happened. This time 



70 RUBIES AND DIAMO'NDS. 



it drew his hat down into its dark and still deeper mysterious being. 
At times the air current is entering, and at other periods it is going 
out, depending on the condition of the atmosphere. At the present 
time ninety seven miles have been explored, and no telling how 
many more there may be. It has three thousand rooms. The 
largest covers three acres. It is composed of eight stories, that is, 
one tier of rooms over each other like a house. Every room is 
peculiarly different from the others. Some colored red, white and 
others blue. It is intensely dark. When the guide would light- 
up the different rooms with his magnesium tapers, it would drive 
away that terrible feeling that seemed to creep over and around 
you in the thick darkness. You could then see all the beautiful 
scenes about you and enjoy them immensely. The heart is just 
like that Cave. It will deceive one in so many ways. It has many 
rooms also, which are filled with the dark things of life. See Gal. 
5 :ig. — It needs a guide who can throw on the light to drive out the 
darkness, so the beautiful may be seen. Jesus is the safe guide 
and he must throw on the light — the light of eternal life. Saint 
Paul tells us, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth- the Lord 
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from 
the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom. io:q. — It is not head belief, 
but a heart belief. True belief must go deep enough to touch the 
heart. Saved from darkness and despair for eternity. Let Jesus 
come into your heart. Read Acts 8 19-24, special verse 23. 



RESULT OF A KIND ACT. 

Samuel F. Jones, a prominent mission worker of Boston, says : 
"Do you know that little things oftentimes result in a great deal of 
good? One day a man, dead drunk, was lying in a gutter in my 
native town, and a well-known lady of the city, as she passed 
along on the sidewalk, seeing his face upturned to the blazing rays 
of the noonday sun, took out her lace handkerchief and spread it 
over his face. She did it for Jesus' sake. And when that man 
came to his senses and found who that lady was, it resulted in 
that man's conversion to God." 



FOR WHOM INTENDED. 

Andrew Fuller once asked an old friend for money for for- 
eign missions. The friend said : "I will give you five pounds, 
Andrew, seeing it is you." Fuller handed it back. "I will take 
nothing," he said, "seeing it is I." The man saw the point, and 
replied : "Andrew, you are right. Here are ten pounds, seeing 
it is for the Lord Jesus !" 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 71 



FISHERS. 

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they 
shall fish for them. Jer. 16:16. — The fishers also shall mourn, 
and all that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that 
spread nets upon the waters shall languish. Isa. 19:8. — Simon 
Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also 
go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immedi- 
ately ; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning 
was now come Jesus stood on the shore : but the disciples knew not 
that is was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye 
any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, 
Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They 
cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the mul- 




titude of fishes. Jno. 21 :y6. — And Jesus walking by the sea of 
Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his 
brother, casting a net into the sea : for they were fishers. And he 
saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 
Matt. 4:18, 19. 

It is said that about one third of the Japanese make a living 
by fishing. Here we see a fishing boat leaving the canal at Yoko- 
hama. Note the way they row the boat. When they reach the 
open sea the sail is raised. Sometimes they return with the boat 
ladened with fish, and at other times they are not so successful. 
Jesus said "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Ev- 
ery Christian (not the preacher only) should be a fisherman for 
lost souls of their fellow men. Do you do your part of this im- 
portant work? There are your relatives, friends and companions. 
The disciples were obedient to the command of Christ. Blessings 



J2 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



will only come by so doing. You mav not be very successful at 
first, but cast your net on the right side. Show them Christ's love, 
his warnings, his eternity. That is your part. The Apostle says, 
Let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of 
his way shall save a soul from death. Jas. 5 :20. Read Daniel 
12 — , special verse 3. 



TWO KINDS OF LIVING. 

We have heard of a business firm composed of a member of the 
church and a man who was notoriously profane. One day the 
pastor was in the store; the profane man was indulging in his 
profanity. The minister spoke to him about it. ,The man re- 
plied, "I am the swearing member of the firm, and my partner 
is the praying member. He lives according to his praying and 
I live according to my swearing. I would give worlds to be like 
him, but he would not be like me for worlds." 

What a striking testimony that was ! "He lives according to 
his praying!" How vastly different it would have been if he had 
said, "I don't mean anything by my swearing, and he don't mean 
anything by his praying!" "Let your light so shine before men 
that they * '* * glorify your Father which is in Heaven." 



WOMAN'S WORK FOR CHRIST. 

Here is a practical gem from Dr. Torrey. He said : "Some 
years ago a woman who had a family of young children had been 
reading the life of Frances Willard, and was greatly stirred by 
reading that life. She came to me one day, and said, T wish I 
could do something for Christ.' I said, 'You can.' 'No,' she 
said, T can't; my duty is with my family.' I replied, 'Of course 
it is, but you can do something for Christ; you can bring your chil- 
dren to him ; you can bring your servants to Christ ; you can bring 
the shop-keepers you deal with to Christ.' 

"And I watched that woman. Every child in her family was 
converted in early childhood; one of them is now studying for the 
ministry, two of them expect to go as foreign missionaries, one of 
them was called to the other' world at nine years of age. The 
morning the little child of nine died she was told that a nurse was 
coming to nurse her, and she said to her mother, T wonder if the 
nurse is a Christian; if she isn't we must lead her to Christ.' 
Every servant that came into that home was spoken to about her 
soul; when the butcher came with the meat he was spoken to about 
his soul ; whenever she went shopping to buy cloth, or a bonnet, or 
anything else, the clerks with whom she dealt were spoken to about 
their souls." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 73 



PRECIOUS. 

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for 
the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that 
coucheth beneath, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains 
and for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the 
precious things put forth of the moon, and for the chief things of 
the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the hills. 
Deut. 33:13-15. — Happy is the man that getteth understanding. 
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, 
and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than 
rubies : and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared 
unto her. Prov. 3:13-15. — Whereby are given unto us exceeding 
great and precious promises', that by these ye might be partakers 




*t#*»4 i *' ii'i'illi'flililiiyill^ti^^l^^ 1 ^ 




of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the 
world through lust. 2 Pet. 1 4. — For the redemption of their soul 
is precious. Ps. 49 :8. — How precious also are thy thoughts unto 
me, O God! how great is the sum of them. Ps. 139:17. — For as 
much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible 
things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ as 
a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Pet. 1 :i8, 19. 

The iron ore pit at Eveleth, Minn., is possibly three-fourths of 
a mile in circumference. From the top of the surface to the little 
train is about seventy feet. 'It is a valuable spot. The deposit of 
ore is about ninety feet deep. The top layer of earth has been re- 
moved. The little train is running on the top of the ore bed. 
Tunnels are worked underneath the ore bed, and then vertical shafts 
are made and the miners dig the ore from the top into the shafts 



74 .RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



and the ore falls into little tram cars below, and from thence it is 
hauled to the elevator. Wonderfully precious in dollars and cents 
is this place. But God has still more precious things for man. 
Do you really realize the value of them? 'See above. Read I 
John i — , special verse 7. 



HE KNOWS. 



Dr. Louis Albert Banks relates this interesting incident which 
teaches what the world needs. There was a woman whose little 
child very suddenly died in her arms. It was her only child, and 
the very idol of her heart. She was stunned by her grief. She 
could not even cry. The fountain of tears seemed to have frozen. 
She would not let anybody take the body of her child. Her hus- 
band lovingly tried to comfort her, and sought to persuade her to 
give the child to him, but she would not. For hours she held the 
little boy close to her breast, her face full of untold agony. At last 
the husband thought of a neighbor down the street who had lost a 
little child not long before, about the same age as their little one. 
He went to her and told her of the awful sorrow that had come to 
their home and the sad condition of his wife, and begged her to 
come to see if she would know how to comfort her. The woman 
came and quietly went in, and without a word sat down beside the 
poor grief-dazed mother, put her arm around her, her own tears 
rolling down over her cheeks, and kissed her, and simply said, "I 
know all about it, dear." The refreshing tears came to her eyes: 
her frozen heart melted in her bosom, and she held the body of the 
child out to her neighbor, and said, "I can give it to you. I could 
not give it to anyone else, for they did not know." When we are 
tried and need comfort there is always one to whom we may go 
for sympathy. Jesus is the one. He knows and understands. He 
was tempted and tried as we are. Heb. 4:15. 



HIS TREASURE. 



"I was much struck," says a distinguished divine, in reading 
about a certain nobleman who died lately. |He had an iron safe or 
chest all locked up, but marked : "To be removed first in case of 
fire." After he died his friends opened the chest, supposing, of 
course, that some valuable documents or deeds of property, rich 
jewelry or costly plate, would be found, but what was their aston- 
ishment when they found nothing but the toys of his little child, 
who had gone before him. Richer to him were they than all the 
world's wealth : richer than his coronet, brighter than all the jewels 
that sparkled on its crest. Not his estate, not his jewels, not his 
equipage, nothing glorious and great in this world, but the dearest 
objects to him were the toys of his little child." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 75 



A LITTLE MOUND. 

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom. 
3 123. — The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither 
the children be put to death for the fathers : every man shall be 
put to death for his own sin. Deut. 24:16. — What shall we say 
then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, 
but for the law : : for I had not known lust, except the law had said, 
Thou shalt not covet. Rom. 7 \y. — Whosoever committeth sin 
transgresseth also> the law : for sin is the transgression of the law. 
1 Jno. 3:4. — (See what the law is in Exodus, Chap. 20, Gal. 5: 
10-21). For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend 
in one point, he is guilty of all. Jas 2 :io. — For the wages of sin 
is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through lesus Christ our 
Lord. Rom. 6 123. — For when ye were the servants of sin, ye 











w m. % i*«^ *, 












Z - %m2L». 


A 


Jfcfr, 


i V- , «jjf 


jffflfc. 


W^Kr ■ '■■• 




' •- V . 








* * _ 


'. 












S "*^^ 










T ff|'" 







Watching a Parade, 
were free from righteousness. Rom. 6 :2c — For exhort one anoth- 
er daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened 
through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13. — Wherefore seeing 
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let 
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset 
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Heb. 
12 :i. 



1. S-I-N is quite an insignificant word, as far as its size is con- 
cerned, but its power over man is terrible, and its consequence will 
be dreadful. Sin is any disobedience to God's law. (See what 
law is in Ex. 20 and Gal. 5 : 19-21.) It shuts the soul out of heav- 
en, and away from God. The pile of dirt is in the main plaza at 



76 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



the St, Louis Fair. At certain places it would hide from one's 
sight the most beautiful views in the fair — particularly the artificial 
lake and festival hall. Sin is just a little mound on the life, or 
possibly there are many of them, and they are hiding from you the 
vision of the blessed Redeemer, and causes many blessings to be 
withheld which God is waiting to give you, even now. Read Daniel 
6 — , special verse 27. 



THE MATERIAL AND THE SPIRITUAL. 

Things material are abundant. Our mills and factories are 
numerous, large, and prosperous, but things material, including 
money itself, should only be the foundation upon which are reared 
things material. Our mines of coal and iron have not completed 
their mission when transmuted into dollars. Not till the dollars 
are transmuted into service for others has wealth completely justi- 
fied its existence. Dollars are only dross until spiritualized, a 
means to an end, and miserable is the man, mean and squalid his 
life, who knows no better than to deaden his soul by mere posses- 
sion, using his faculties in old age in augmenting the useless stuff 
which ministers not to any taste worthy of man. 

Little does and little can the speculator on the exchange or the 
mere dollar grabber in any line of activity know of the higher 
pleasures of human existence. Only when a man labors for the 
general good and for other than general aims that end with self 
can he know and enjoy the high spiritual rewards of life. — Andre-v 
Carnegie. 



A CROOKED RULER. 

Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking 
heed thereto according to thy word. Ps. 119:9. 

"The Bible is so strict and old-fashioned," said a young man 
to a grey-haired friend who was advising to study God's word 
if he would learn how to live. There are plenty of good books 
written now-a-days, that are moral enough in their teaching, and 
do not bind one down as the Bible." The old merchant turned 
to his desk and took out two rulers, one of which was slightly 
bent. With each of these he ruled a line, and .silently handed 
the ruled paper to his companion. "Well," said the young man, 
"what do you mean?" "One line is not straight and true, is it?" 
When you mark out your path in life do not take a crooked 
ruler ! 



Cyrus, the conqueror of Babylon, of whom we read in the 
Bible, was once asked what was the first thing he learned. "To 
tell the truth," he replied. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 77 



REMOVED. 

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, 
Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. 
Jno. 1 129.- — I (David) acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine 
iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions 
unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Ps. 32 : 
5. — It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which 
I purpose to do unto them ; that they return every man from his 
evil way; that I (God) forgive their iniquity and their sin. Jer. 
36:3. — And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the 
Lord. And Nathan said unto* David, The Lord also hath put away 
thy sin: thou shalt not die. 2 Sam. 12:13. — And he laid it upon 
my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips ; and thine ini - 
quity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Isa. 6 \J. — And they shall 



teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother 
saying, Know the Lord : for they shall all know me, from the least 
of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord : for I will for- 
give their iniquity, and I will remember them no more. Jer. 31 : 
34. — He hath not dealt with us after our sins ; nor rewarded us 
according to our iniquities. As far as the east is from the west, 
so far hath he removed our transgressious from us. Ps. 103: 
10-12. — But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have 
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his 
Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Jno. 1 \J. 

You see the same place as in the former lesson about a week 
later. It was quite an unbecoming and uninviting spot then, be- 
cause of the pile of dirt, but now it has been removed. The char- 
acter of the place has been changed. So sin on the life separates 
us from God, and must be removed. St. Paul says, "In whom 
(Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, even the forgive- 



78 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



ness of our sins. 
the sin forever. 



Col. 1 114. — When God forgives us, he puts away 
Read Ex. 3:11, 12, 13 and 4:1, 10 Excuses. 



PECULIAR PEOPLE. 

Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my 
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all 
people; for all the earth is mine. Ex. 19:5. — For thou art an holy 
people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to 
be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon 
the earth. Deut. 14 :2. — But ye are a chosen generation, a royal 
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people : that ye should show 
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into 
his marvellous light. 1 Pet. 2 19. — Who gave himself for us, that 




he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a 
peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14. — But know 
that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself : the Lord 
will hear when I call unto him. Ps. 4 13. 

The building of the State of Washington at the St. Louis Fair 
is a peculiar design. Each upright post is made of one tree and is 
over one hundred feet long, and two feet square at either end. The 
posts are set into the ground on a good foundation, and then center- 
ing at the top. The Redeemed of this world are called a peculiar 
people and are scattered all over this wide world. They belong to 
God, and have their hearts centered on the Christ, the Son of God. 
They are a peculiar people unto God for they follow him, trust in 
him, love him, and work for him. The worldly people have all 
their affections centered on themselves and the things of this world. 
Read John 3:14-36, special verse 16. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 79 



PRESERVATION. 

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. Ps. 16: 
I. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let 
thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Ps. 
40 :i 1. — Preserve my soul ; for I am holy : O thou my God, save thy 
servant that trusteth in thee. Ps. 86 :2. — Jude the servant of 
Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by 
God and Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, Jude 1. The Lord 
preserveth all them that love him ; but all the wicked will he de- 
stroy. Ps. 145:20. — For he (the Lord) shall give his angels 
charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. Ps. 91 :n. — And 
the very God of peace sanctify 37-011 wholly; and I pray God your 
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes. 5 \2^. — I pray not that 




thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest 
keep them from evil. Jno. 17:15. — Now unto him that is able to 
keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the pres- 
ence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24. 

This is such an important lesson for all Christians, and es- 
pecially for converts. The two blocks of wood were on exhibit 
at the St. Louis Fair. Both were the same kind of wood used for 
piling for a railroad bridge. The first looks like a sponge. It 
was used only one year, and the apparent decay is merely worm 
eaten. In its natural state it could not withstand the attacks of the 
teredo. The other was chemically treated for preservation and 
was used twenty years, and still is solid. Many people say they 
would be Christians, if they thought they could hold out. No 
Christian is able to keep himself, but the Lord Jesus is. He has 
the power to preserve you and keep you from falling. The only 



8o 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



question is, Will you let Him do it? 
verse 6. 



Read 2 Tim. 1 



special 



BY FAITH. 



Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of 
things not seen. Heb. 11 :i. — Therefore being justified by faith, 
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 
5 :i. — But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it 
is evident: for the just shall live by faith. Gal. 3 :n. — I am cruci- 
fied with Christ : nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in 
me : and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of 
the Son of God, who loveth me, and gave himself for me. Gal. 2 : 
20. — For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 




Gal. 3 :26. — For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5 \j. 

Here in Spearfish Canon is a short space of straight track of 
railroad going over the Black Hills. The descent is about 150a 
feet, and the train zigzags back and forth on the mountain sides 
full seven miles to get down to this point. Scenery! It is every- 
where. The rest of the way was just up and down, and right and 
left until the head would fairly swim with dizziness. I said to 
myself several times during the trip that this was surely "riding 
by faith." It is really true of the Christian. He is justified by 
faith. He becomes the true child of God by faith. He walks by 
faith. He lives by faith in Christ Jesus. Have we gotten hold 
of these great truths in our own personal experience? Faith is be- 
lieving. It is not seeing. To believe is to be strong. Belief is 
power. He who doubts is weak. Jeremy Taylor says that, "Faith 
is the root of all blessings. Believe, and you shall be saved; be- 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 



81 



lieve, and you must needs be satisfied ; believe, and you cannot but 
be comforted and happy." Read John 21—, special verse 17. 



LABOR. 



In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread, till thou return 
unto the ground. Gen. 3:19. — Six days shalt thou labor, and do 
all thy work. Ex. 20:9. Now he that planteth and he that water- 
eth are one : and every man shall receive his own reward according 
to his own labor. 1 Cor. 3 :8. — The sleep of a laboring man is 
sweet, whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the rich 
will not suffer him to sleep. Eccle. 5 :i2. — And in the same house 
remain, eating and drinking such things as they give : for the labor- 
er is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Luke 10: 




7. — And, the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5 :i8. — 
Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which 
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give 
unto you. Jno. 6 127. — For he that is entered into his rest, he also 
hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us 
labor therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the 
same example of unbelief. Heb. 4:10, 11. 

This man is laboring up in the Minnesota Pineland, miles from 
anywhere. The trees are felled during the summer and winter 
seasons; but they are usually hauled in this fashion in the winter 
time over icy roads to the temporary railway station to be loaded 
on the cars, which carry them to the saw mill. He has 5,000 feet 
of pine on the sleigh and could haul much more. In this manner 
he gains his daily bread. Someone has said, "The fruit derived 
from labor is the sweetest of all pleasures." In this world it is 



82 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



necessary to labor. It is God's plan; some with the brain and 
muscle, and others with the muscle and brain. Abraham Lincoln 
remarks that "God must have loved the poor because he made so 
many of them." The Almighty surely has placed his loving seal 
upon the laborer. Adam was a gardener. Noah was a carpenter. 
Abraham, Jacob and David were shepherds. Amos was a 
farmer. Elisha was found at the plow handle. Peter was a fish- 
erman. .Even Jesus ennobled it by being a carpenter with his 
father. The wilfully idle one is always a tool for Satan to use in 
his business. Six days are sufficient for human nature; besides, 
it is God's law. He who disrespects this plan will lose, in some 
way, manifold more than he gains. I. Labor for the earthly 
bread. 2. Labor for the spiritual bread. 3. Labor to enter 
into the eternal rest. He who labors for these three things is a 
fully rounded-out man. He who has only the first one in view 
has hardly begun to live rightly. That is, he is only getting one- 
third out of life. He will have labored almost in vain, for he has 
lost two-thirds of what God intended him to have. 

"Work, for the night is coming, 
Work through the sunny noon; 
Fill brightest hours with labor, 
Rest comes sure and soon, 
Give every flying minute, 
Something to keep in store; 
Work, for the night is coming, 
When man works no more. 
Read 1 Cor. 13 — , special verse 12. 



A NEGLECTED DUTY. 

Dwight L. Moody has told the story of a boat that had 
been away three years on a whaling voyage. On board was 
the son of the lighthouse keeper at the port of sailing. Every 
night the father carefully kept his lamp and waited anxiously 
for the return of his boy. One night in a gale the wind blew 
it out, and he neglected to relight it. It was on that night that 
the whaler returned. Those on the lookout peered for a light 
to guide them into the harbor, but none was visible. The vessel 
dashed upon the rocks and the entire crew was drowned. Next 
morning when the father went out to examine the shore for 
wreckage and anything that might have survived the storm, he 
saw his son's body stretched out lifeless on the sand. 

One neglected duty had been responsible for this disaster, 
and by this careless act he had lost his only son. Many a father 
has by his neglect and immoral example wrecked the soul of 
his boy. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 83 



GIFTS. 

From God. — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from 
above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom 
there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Jas. 1 :i/. 
The spiritual gifts. — 1. A Savior. — For God so loved the world, 
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in 
him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jno. 3:16. 
The Holy Spirit. — If ye then being- evil, know how to give good 
gifts unto your children : how much more shall your heavenly 
Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. Luke 11 113. — 
3. Grace. — But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God 
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Jas. 4:6. 
— 4. Faith. — For by grace are ye saved through faith : and that 
not of yourselves : it is the gift of God. Eph. 2 :8. — The Temporal 
Gifts. — Therefore I say unto you. Take no thought for your life, 




what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink: nor yet for your body, 
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body 
than raiment. Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow not, neith- 
er do they reap, nor gather into barns : yet your heavenly Father 
feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they. Matt. 6 125, 26. 
— While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and 
heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 
Gen. 8 -.22. ■ — The gifts to God. — I Beseech you therefore, brethren, 
by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacri- 
fice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom. 12:1. — Upon the first day of the week let every one of you 
lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him. 1 Cor. 16:2. — 
But to do good and communicate forget not : for with such sacri- 



8 4 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



flees God is well pleased. Heb. 13:16. — Every man according as 
he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of 
necessity : for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9 :y. — Give, 
and it shall be given unto you : good measure, pressed down, and 
shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your 
bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall 
be measured to you again. Luke 6 138. 

'The Agricultural Building at St. Louis Fair covered twenty- 
two acres. Nearly all the states were represented, by bringing in 
their finest products to exhibit. This is the Virginia booth, so 
beautifully and artistically decorated with their choicest fruits and 
grains. They were the temporal gifts from God for man's welfare, 
but the soul of man needs the spiritual gifts also. The greatest 
gift to man is God's divine favor in giving Jesus and the Holy 
Spirit. Then he demands very naturally gifts in return from his 
chosen ones. The main question is, Am I receiving his gifts — 
blessings — daily in my life? If so, then it will be one of the first 
thoughts of my life to bring him my gifts for his use. The liberal 
soul shall be blessed. The good tree gives forth its fruit. The 
front half of the Gospel ship is salvation, and the rear half is the 
giving of ourselves, time, and money for God's purpose. To be 
in harmony, the whole ship must be propelled by the power of love. 
We love him, because he first loved us, says Jno. 4:19. 



NO TIME. 



A Christian man who was riding on the outside of a London 
omnibus got into a conversation with the driver, and after a time 
asked him : 

"Do you love Jesus Christ?" ; 

With a startled look he replied, "No, sir; I've no time to 
think of such things." 

"Are you married?" was the next question. 

"Yes, sir." 

"How many hours in the day do you work?" 

"Sixteen, sir." 

"Then I am sorry for your wife." 

"Why are you sorry?" 

"Because you have no time to love her." 

f 'Love her!" said the driver. "Why, I loves her every yard 
I drives!" 

The life that is love-controlled carries love into all its activi- 
ties. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



THE CHILDREN. 

Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst 
of them, said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and 
become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
Matt. 18:2, 3. — So they brought young children to him, that he 
should touch them : and his disciples rebuked those that brought 
them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said 
unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid 
them not : for of such is the Kingdom of God. Verily I say unto 
you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little 
child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, 
put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16. — 
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Ps. 19 \y. 




Herein is the kernal to the Christian life. tWhat does it 
mean, to become like a child ? How can we obtain such a life as a 
little child represents? It is that which secures to one the right 
kind of pleasures, profits and blessings in this present life, and 
eternal life with all of its accompanying happiness inj:he life to 
come. Every person growing up to. manhood or womanhood is 
naturally inclined to become indifferent, cold, possibly hard-hearted, 
and even self-willed and rebellious through the many trials, and 
temptations of life. This is effected by the deceptive work of sin, 
or the Evil One upon the life. This is the very cause that brought 
Jesus from heaven to do, or rather to undo. He taught the rich 
and learned Nicodemus how — the secret — of it when he said to 
him, Ye must be born from above. Jno. 3 13-5. — That is renewed 
or made over in the spiritual sense. The experience of the poor 
woman of Samaria was similar. See St. John fourth chapter. 



86 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



Jesus said he had the power of changing a person's life. She 
needed a changed heart. He could make her life like a well spring- 
ing up into everlasting life. This change brings real joy, happiness 
and comfort to the heart at once. God tells very clearly how this 
change is to come to us personally. Listen ! "A new heart also will 
I give you, and new spirit will I put within you; and I will take 
away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart 
of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you." Ezek. 36 '.26, 27. 
■ — God will do all this for you in Jesus' name. He will take away 
the sinful things of the heart, and will give you a cleansed and 
spiritual one. This will bring into your life the precious character- 
istics—the RUBIES and DIAMONDS— of a child heart and life, 
which are: 1. Teachable. 2. Confidence in God as a Father. 
3. Dependence on God as a Father. 4. Loving obedience to God. 
Just a little confidential talk with Jesus like Nicodemus had will 
bring the change. It is the only solution for a happy and contented 
life, and eternal life. Read Romans 8:14-39, special verse 2J. 

"O for a glance of heavenly day, 

To take this stubborn heart away, 

And thaw, with beams of love divine, 

This heart, this frozen heart of mine ! 

But power divine can do the deed ; 

And Lord, that power I greatly need : 

Thy Spirit can from dross refine, 

And melt and change this heart of mine!" 



NOT AFRAID. 



And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, 
behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and 
parted them both asunder. 2 Kings 2: 11. 

Two little boys were talking together about Elijah's going 
to heaven in a chariot of fire. "I say, Charlie," said George, "but 
would you not be afraid to ride on such a chariot?" "Why, no: 
I shouldn't be afraid if I knew that the Lord was driving." That 
was what David felt in his life when he said, "What time I am 
afraid, I will trust in Thee. In God I will praise His Avord, in 
God I will have put my trust : I will not fear what flesh can do 
unto me. Ps. 56 : 3, 4. 



We live in deeds, not years : in thoughts, not breaths : in 
feelings, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart 
throbs. He lives most, who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts 
the best — Bailey. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



FOR BLESSINGS. 

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in 
the field. Deut. 28 :3- — Now when he had left speaking;, he said 
Unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets 
for a draught. And Simon answering 1 said unto him, Master we 
have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at 
thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, 
they inclosed a great multitude of fishes : and their net brake. And 
they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, 
that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled 
both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw 
it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am 
a sinful man, O Lord. Luke 5 14-8. — Now it came to pass on a 




certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples : and he said 
unto them, Let us go unto the other side of the Lake. And they 
launched forth. Luke 8 :22. — And there arose a great storm of 
wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow : and 
they awake him, and say unto him, Master carest thou not that we 
perish? lAnd he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the 
sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great 
calm. Mark 4:37-39. 

Who does not desire God's blessings? The rain comes upon 
all, and the sun shines over all in common, but there are many bles- 
sings besides these that should be sought after. Seek and ye shall 
find is the scripture injunction. The writer was at San Fernando, 
Northern Luzon, P. I. Going from there to the mountains of 
Benguet Province to regain impaired health. On returning to the 



88 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



coast we found that the steamship had sailed and there was no way 
to get back home. With my two companions, we hired this little 
boat. It was a hazardous voyage in the open sea, riding the boist- 
erous waves. But blessings will not come to one, unless he 
"Launches out into the deep." Have you done so in your Christian 
experience ? 

"But many, alas ! only stand on the shore, 
And gaze on the ocean so wide : 
They never have ventured its depths to explore, 
Or to launch on the fathomless tide. 
Oh, let us launch out on this ocean so broad, 
Where the floods of salvation o'erflow : 
Oh, let us be lost in the mercy of God, 
Till the depths of His fulness we know. 
Storms may rise and threaten destruction, but Jesus can speak 
"Peace be still." Read Matt. 13. 



GIVE LIMPY A CHANCE. 

Here, boy, let me have a paper." 

"Can't." 

"Why not? I heard you crying them loud enough to be heard 
at the city hall." 

"Yes, but that was down t'other block, ye know, where I 
hollered." 

"What does that matter? Come, now, no fooling. I'm in a 
hurry." 

"Couldn't sell you a paper on this here block, mister, 'cause 
it b' longs to Limpy. He's just up at the furdest end now. You'll 
meet him . 

"And who is Limpy? And why does he have this block?" 

"Cos us other kids agreed to let him have it. Ye see, it's a 
good run, 'count of the offices all along, and the poor chap is 
that lame he can't git around lively like the rest of us, so we agreed 
that the first one caught sellin' on his beat should be thrashed. See?" 

"Yes, I see. You have a sort of brotherhood among your- 
selves?'" • 

"Well, we're goin' to look out for a little cove that's lame, 
anyhow." 

"There comes Limpy now. He's a fortunate boy to have such 
friends. 

The gentleman bought two papers of him, and went on his 
way downtown, wondering how many men in business would 
refuse to sell their wares in order, to give a weak, halting brother 
a chance in the field. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 89 



THE WAY OF THE WORLD. 

The way of the Lord is strength to the upright : but destruc- 
tion shall be to the workers of iniquity. Pro v. 10:29. — When 
your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as 
a whirlwind : when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then 
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer : they shall seek me 
early, but they shall not find me : for that they hated knowledge, 
and did not choose the fear of the Lord. Prov. 1 127-29. — Hell 
and destruction are before the Lord : how much more then the 
hearts of the children of men? Prov. 15:11. — But there were 
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false 
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, 
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves 
swift destruction. 2 Pet. 2:1. — For when they shall say, Peace 




and safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them (the 
wicked) as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not 
escape. 1 Thes. 5 :3, 4. — And to you that are troubled rest with 
us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His 
mighty angels, in a flaming fire taking vengeance on them that 
know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ : 
who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pres- 
ence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. 2 Thes. 1 :y,g. 
The beautiful flowers spring forth in the morning and may 
be gone before night. The sweet perfumed blossoms come out 
at mid-day, and the storm sweeps over them, and they are no 
more. The corn may be almost ready to send out its tassels, but 
the little hail-stones will cut it to the ground. Even man is like 
the grass of the field, which glories in the morning, but is with- 
ered before the Sun hides himself beyond the evening horizon. 



9o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



(Ps. 90:5, 6). The tornado will wipe out of existence a city 
in a few moments time. The earthquake will lay the strongest 
buildings to the ground, and fire will destroy to ashes whatever may 
be in its way. When people conjure up their feelings to believe 
that they have peace and safety in this life, as well as the future,. 
without the Redemption of Jesus, and obey not His Gospel, then 
is just when they are sorely deceiving themselves. Roaring Moun- 
tain is in the Yellowstone Park. It is a large mountain, and 
seems to be all afire underneath and is very likely only a crust. 
At times the noise of the steam emitting from it may be heard 
at a great distance, therefore the name. You remember how God 
sent the water in former days to destroy the wicked. He will 
banish all sinners and sin sometime. He works through many 
agencies to bring to pass His will. The things of this present 
world cannot be depended upon and are in a great measure quite 
deceiving. Read 2 Tim. 3 — , special verse 5. 



THE WHY OF THE LIGHTNING BOLT. 

A congregation in a hilly district in Ohio bought a small tract 
of land and erected a church building upon it. Then the question 

of insurance came up. Mr. S , the wealthiest member, who 

had contributed more than half the money needed for the new 
structure, declared that he did not believe in insurance. "This is 
the Lord's building. He'll take care of it," he said. 

His view prevailed, and there was no insurance. In a few 
weeks the building was struck by lightning and almost totally con- 
sumed by fire. Another one was erected. Mr. S contrib- 
uting the greater portion of the fund as before. This time the de- 
mand was almost unanimous that it be insured, but Mr. S 

again objected on the same ground. "If it burns down again, 
brethren," he said, "I'll rebuild it myself." 

Again he carried his point. In less than a month the new 
church was struck by lightning again, and although strenuous ef- 
forts were made to save it, the loss was almost total. 

"There must be some reason for this, brethren," said Brother 
S . "I'm going to find out what it is." 

Thereupon he engaged a force of men to sink a shaft on the 
site of the twice-destroyed church. Within a few days a rich vein 
of iron was found, and the church property was sold for many 
times the amount needed to buy land in another locality and build 
again. 

"I tell you, brethren," said Brother S , "it pays to, trust 

the Lord. He's a great deal better business manager than anybody 
in this congregation." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 91 



THE KINGDOMS. 

She (the eagle) dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the 
crag of the rock and the strong place. Job. 39:28. — Set your af- 
fection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3 :2. — 
John came, saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at 
hand. Matt. 3 :2. — Jesus answered, My kingdom! is not of this 
world. Jno. 18:36. — For the kingdom of God is not eating and 
drinking; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 
Rom. 14:17. — And he (the thief) said to Jesus, Lord, remember 
me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Luke 23 :42. — But they 
that wait upon the . Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall 
mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run and not be weary ; 
and they shal walk, and not faint. Isa. 40:31. — That ye walk 




worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 
I Thess. 2:12. — And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil 
work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. 2 Tim. 
4:18. 

We have here a large mountain in the Yellowstone Park. You 
will observe the tall round stone pinnacle or point standing at the 
lower part of it. It is many feet high. 'On the top of it the eagle 
has builded her nest. The point is just large enoug j h for her little 
living place — her home. She lives away from all the disturbing 
things of the world below. She is in her kingdom. She has clone 
wisely. We will now look at man's kingdoms. The first is the 
Christian Dispensation or Gospel kingdom on earth. That is the 
time from the birth of Jesus until he comes again to reign on earth. 
The second is the Spiritual (kingdom) life after one's conversion 
or the renewing of the life from sin through the receiving of the 
Gospel of Christ in the heart. As Jesus said the kingdom of God 



92 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



is within you (the Christian). Luke 17:20, 21. It is that inward 
experience of a real change out of the burdened, guilty and sinful 
life to that of freedom in a new life which gives us joy, peace and 
happiness. Mr. Bliss, the famous singer, once said to a friend, "I 
tell you, the kingdom of heaven is within, and let's you and I get 
as much of it packed up as possible before we take our long journ- 
ey." It is like the eagle — placing the life in a kingdom above the 
disturbing elements in the world, while yet living in the world, 

"O for a heart of calm repose 
Amid the world's loud roar; 
A life that like a river flows 
Along a peaceful shore. 

Above these scenes of storm and strife 
There spreads a region fair ; 
Give me to live that higher life 
And breathe that heavenly air." 

The third is the kingdom of heaven itself. The unchristian 
man has no part in the last two kingdoms. He will surely miss 
the better part of life. Read Acts 9 .'32-43 — , special verse 42. 



THANKFULNESS. 

And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, 
which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before 
the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God. Deut. 
26:10. — O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His 
mercy endureth forever. Ps. 107:1. — Honor the Lord with thy 
substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase. Prov. 
3 :g. — Or despiseth thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance 
and longsufTering : not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth 
thee to repentance ? Rom. 2 14. — In everything give thanks : for 
this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you. 1 Thess. 
5 :i8. 

There, is a very touching little story told of a poor woman 
with two children, who had not a bed for them to lie upon, and 
scarcely any clothes to cover them. In the depth of winter the\ 
were nearly frozen, and the mother took the door of a cellar oft* 
the hinges, and set it up before the corner where they were 
crouched down to sleep, that some of the draught and cold might 
be kept from them. One of the children whispered to her mother, 
when she complained of how badly off they were, "Mother, what 
do those dear children do, who have no cellar door to put up in 
front of them?" Even there, you see the little heart found cause 
for thankfulness. — Mr. Spurgeon. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



93 



THE OVERCOMING LIFE. 

It is the Spirit that quickeneth. Jno. 6 163. — Not by works of 
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he 
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the H0I3 7 
Spirit. Titus 3 15. — And you hath he quickened, who were in 
trespasses and sins. Eph. 2:1. — For the law of the Spirit of life 
in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 
Rom. 8 :2. — For John truly baptized with water ; but ye shall be 
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. Acts 1 15. — 
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak 
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2 14. — 
Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of 
you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of 
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 138. 




— For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteous- 
ness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom. 14:17. 

The spiritual life may be unsatisfactorv to one, resulting from 
many causes, such as indifference to God's word, discontinued 
prayer, non-attendance at worship, and worldly associates, an ill 
temper, disobedience to God's laws, etc. No blessings can come 
for such a disposition towards God and his cause. There mav be 
also some unrepented sin still in the life which must be given up. 
The St. Louis Fair was set in motion by President Roosevelt 
touching an electric button in his office in Washington. The Fail- 
officials had sent him a message that they would be ready at a 
certain time. The secret current running along the wire made ac- 
tivity reign, starting the water to flow, and the machinery agoing, 
and gave new life to every thing about the place. It is the old life 
that needs to be quickened by the Holy Spirit. Have you sent 



■94 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



in your message by prayer? It is certain to be answered by Him 
who said, "Ask and ye shall receive." Read Psalm 145 — . 



ENTER IN. 



Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man 
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the king- 
dom of God. Jno. 3 15, 7. — I am the door : by Me if any man 
enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pas- 
ture. Jno. 10:9. — And he set the porters at the gates of the 
house of the Lord, that none which was unclean in anything should 
enter in. 2 Chron. 23:19. — Not every one that saith unto me, 
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that 
•doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 7:21. — 




Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by 
the blood of Jesus. Heb. 10:19. — And there shall in no wise 
•enter into it (heaven) anything that defileth, neither whatsoever 
worketh abomination or maketh a lie; but they which are written 
in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21 \2J. ' 

To all the temples in Japan there are gates or entrances, 
which this clearly shows. This is one of the largest, and is 
probably seventy-five feet high. All is made of wood except the 
roof which is tile. Any one may pass through it and enter the 
temple. The infidel, the curious, the indifferent, the careless and 
the criminal as well as the innocent. It will not be so at the gate 
of heaven. None but those, who have a life right with God shall 
be permitted to enter. How do you expect to enter ? Read 1 Peter 
1 — , special verse 7. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



95 



SOME TURNS IN LIFE. 

For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your 
children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, 
so that they shall come again into this land : for the Lord your God 
is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, 
if ye return unto him. 2 Chron. 30 :g. — As for such as turn aside 
unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the 
workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel (the believer). 
Ps. 125 15. — Of the nations concerning which the Lord saia unto 
the children of Israel. Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall 
'they come in unto you : for surely they will turn away your heart 
after their gods : Solomon clave unto these in love. 1 Kings 1 1 : 
2. — And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall 




be turned unto fables. 2 Tim. 5:15. — For there are certain men 
■crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this con- 
demnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasci- 
viousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Jude 1 14. — The Lord preserveth. the strangers ; he reliev- 
eth the fatherless and widow : but the way of the wicked he turn- 
eth upside down. Ps. 146:9. — Unto you first God, having raised 
up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one 
of you from his iniquities. Acts 3:26. — And one of them (the 
lepers) when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a 
loud voice glorified God. Luke 17:15. 

Life is very much like a railway journey over the mountains. 
This is one of the many turns (curves) of the railroad going over 
the Black Hills. There is one curve for every 425 feet for thirty 
miles. Just when everything appeared to be going along smoothly, 



96 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



and all were enjoying the wonderful scenery stretching out over 
the mountain tops, and the valleys below with their little mining 
towns, and the great plains in the distance as far as the eye could 
see, then all on a sudden, and without a moments warning, you 
would be almost unnerved by the effects of such a sharp turn as 
this. There are many kinds of turns that come to us in this life. 
Trials, distresses, false friends, business failures, and others that 
may come upon us without a moments warning. Jesus said, Have 
faith in God. Mark 11:22. — The worst turn possible is to turn 
from God to the weak beggarly elements of this present world for 
comfort. Above everything else we should turn to God and hold 
fast. Things seen are not permanent. Read Ps. 119:81-96. 



JACK WAS NOT FORGOTTEN. 

I pray for them : I pray not for the world, but for them 
which thou has given me;for they are thine. Jno. 17 :g. 

A God fearing boy was reasoning with a wretched companion 
about his continuance in a wicked course. The reply was : "It is 
the right thing for you, Harry, to be glad, for you have lots of 
people who care for you ; but as for me nobody prays for me. I'm 
so bad that nobody thinks it worth while to pray for me — even if 
they ever did pray for me, they have given it up now." "Don't 
say that, Jack; God is my witness that I never go to sleep, but I 

pray for you "O God, bring dear Jack into the fold of 

Christ." Jack wept and repented. Let no perishing school fellow 
be able to say : "You have not taken the trouble to pray for me." 



THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. 

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful 
God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him 
and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deut. 
7 :g. — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship 
of His Son Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1 :i9. — Faithful is he that calleth 
you, who also will do it. 1 Thess. 5 :24. — But the Lord is faithful, 
who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thess. 3 :3. — 
For the word of the Lord is right : and all His works are done in 
truth. Ps. 33 14. — If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful : he 
cannot deny himself. 2 Tim. 2:13. — There hath no temptation 
taken you but such as is common to man : but God is faithful, who 
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will 
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be 
able to bear it. 1 cor. 10:13. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



97 



A BARREN PLACE. 

Behold, he (the Lord) withholdeth the waters, and they dry- 
up. Job. 12:15. — Arid I will lay it waste: It shall not be pruned, 
nor digged ; but there shall come up briers and thorns : I will also 
command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. Isa. 5 :8. — 
When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have 
sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, (the temple) 
and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest 
them : then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servant, 
and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way where- 
in they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast 
given to thy people for an inheritance. 1 Kings 8:35, 36. — He 
turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry 
ground ; a fruitful land into barrenness, for wickedness of them that 




dwelt therein. Ps. 107:33, 34. O wretched man that I am! who 
shall deliver me from the body of this death ? Rom. 7 \2J. — Nev- 
ertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy 
first love. Remember therefore from whence thou hast fallen, and 
repent, and do the first works ; or else I will come unto thee quick- 
ly, and will remove thy candlestick (Holy Spirit) out of his place, 
except thou repent. Rev. 2:4, 5. 

Riding on the train from San Francisco southward, the scene 
like this is what constituted nearly one whole day's journey. Only 
a dry, bleak, and barren plain, producing nothing, but the scattered 
sage brush, and the thorny cactus tree now and then to be seen. 
However, this only lacks the water to make it fruitful, and beauti- 
ful. The Holy Spirit is likened to water in the christian life. God 
says, "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a 
blessing : and I will cause the showers to come down in its season : 



c>S RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



there shall be showers of blessing." Eze. 34:26. — A life with '{,. 
temper, self-love, revengeful, and not having sympathy, love, kind- 
ness, and prayer is like the representation in the picture. It pro- 
duces nothing worth having or seeing. Read Titus 3 — , special 
verse 5. 



WHERE IS HEAVEN? 

A minister one day preached on Heaven. Next morning he 
was going downtown and he met one of his old wealthy members. 
The brother stopped the preacher and said : 

"Pastor, you preached a g-ood sermon about Heaven. You 
told me all about Heaven, but you never told me where Heaven is." 

"Ah !" said the pastor, "I am glad of an opporunity this morn- 
ing. I have just come from the hill-top yonder. In that cottage 
there is a member of your church. She is sick in bed with fever ; 
her two little children are sick in the other bed; and she has not 
got a bit of coal nor a stick of wood, nor flour, nor sugar, nor any 
bread. If you will go downtown and buy five dollars worth of 
things — nice provisions — and send them up to her, and then go 
up there and say, "My sister, I have brought you these nice provis- 
ions in the name of our Lord and Savior; then ask for a Bible and 
read the twenty-third Psalm, and then get down on your knees and 
pray — if you don't see Heaven before you get all through, I'll 
pay the bill." 

The next morning he said : 

"Pastor, I saw Heaven, and spent fifteen minutes in Heaven 
as certain as you are listening." 






GAVE UP. 



Many professed christians are very much like the old lady who 
was in a carriage when the horses were running away, said she had 
perfect trust in the Lord till the harness broke, and then she gave 
right up. Some can trust God while everything runs smoothly, but 
under trials and difficulties they give up. Make God your refuge 
always. 



A CHANCE FOR A BLESSING. 

A collector for benevolent causes said one day to a lawyer, 
whose offering he had just received, "I guess you would be glad 
never to see me coming again ?" 

"Why should I?" asked the lawyer in surprise, "I should miss 
one chance to get a blessing. If I stopped giving, I should soon 
p-et as thin as a fence-rail." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



99 



A DIFFERENCE. 

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry 
ground into water springs. And sow the fields, and plant vine- 
yards, which may yield fruits of increase. Ps. 107 135, 37. — In- 
stead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the 
brier shall come up the myrtie tree : and it shall be to the Lord for 
a name for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isa. 55 : 
13. — Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except ye be 
born of water and the Spirit, Ye cannot enter into the kingdom of 
God. Jno. 3 15. — But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall 
give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him 
shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 
Jno. 4:14. — Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly 
love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; 



~1 






fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in 
tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer ; distributing to the neces- 
sities of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute 
you, bless, and curse not. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome 
evil with good. Rom 12:10-14, 21. 

This beautiful spot is in the City Park, Portland, Ore. It was 
not naturally attractive and beautiful, but has been made so, by being 
properly tended, and watered. This is a contrast to the former 
lesson. An unrighteous life may be made righteous. An unsatis- 
fying christian life may become an overcoming life. The first 
point is to know that we have been "made new" as Jesus taught. 
That is the only way out of the old desert life. Then it. must be 
properly tended by prayer, and watered by the divine presence of 
the Holy Spirit. The things that were once difficult tasks will 



ioo RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



become the natural, and pleasants ones to do. Which of these two 
scenes does your life represent? Read Isa. 61 — , special verse i. 



THINGS NECESSARY. 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye 
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to 
stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and 
having on the breast plate of righteousness; and your feet shod 
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking 
the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the 
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and 
the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God : praying always 
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there- 




unto with all perseverence and supplication for all saints. Eph. 
6:13-18. 

Saint Paul has bequeathed to us a splendid pen picture of a 
Christian. He must have the whole armor to be triumphant against 
the devices of the devil. The man above will fail, because he is 
only partly armored. The darts of the wicked one will find lodg- 
ment somewhere on him. One may have the "Sword of the 
Spirit" — the Bible, but it will be onlv a life of failure where it is 
not backed up with the "helmet of salvation," and the "breastplate 
of righteousness." You may talk to' people about the good book, 
but if you lack any one of these essentials, then your life will be a 
certain failure. Other people will hurl at you "inconsistency" very 
rightly, too. Do you wish to be successful? Then with a glad 
heart take St. Paul's advice, and put on the whole armor of God. 
We may learn a great lesson on this from Goliath the giant, when 
such a little fellow as David appeared before him. David had a 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



01 



sling and a smooth little stone from the brook which struck the 
giant straight in the forehead. Goliath carelessly left off his hel- 
met, which was the most important part of his armor at this point 
in his life. He lost his life. Find out the part you lack and put 
it on. Read Isa. 57 — , special verse 19. 



HAPPINESS. 



He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good : and who so 
trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. Prov. 16:20. — Where there is 
no vision, the people perish : but he that keepeth the law, happy is 
he. Prov. 29:18. — For a day in thy courts is better than a thous- 
and. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than 
to dwell in the tents of wickedness. IPs. 84:10. — Happy is that 
people, that is in such a case : yea, happy is that people, whose God 




is the Lord. Ps. 144:15. — But and if ye suffer for righteousness* 
sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be 
troubled. 1 Pet. 3:14. — But Abraham said, Son, remember that 
thou in thy lifetime received thy good things and likewise Lazarus 
evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 
16:25. 

Paschal once said, "Happpiness is neither within us only, or 
without us; it is the union of ourselves with God." How often 
we see people trying to conjure up happiness in some worldly 
manner, but no solid happiness can be secured in that way. The 
only really happy one in this world is he, who has the Lord Jesus 
on his side, and walks and talks with Him daily. The Indian 
chief lives in South Dakota and is a happy Christian man, though 
he lives in a tent. Happiness may dwell in a mansion, but the 
very opposite is often the case. The wicked may have plenty of 



102 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



their own sort of pleasure, which they falsely call happiness, but 
that will cease sometime. The Christian will have pleasure, a 
solid happiness in this life, which will be enlarged when he moves 
out into eternity. To be right with God is to be happy. To be 
out of harmony with Him is to be wrong and consequently unhappy. 
Mr. Spurgeon truly puts it thus, "The grand essentials to hap- 
piness in this life are, something to do, something to love and 
something to hope for." A lawyer once tried to tanele up a 
German in the cross-examination in a certain case, by asking him, 
"Which way the stairs in his house run?" After a moments hes- 
itation the witness replied, "When I am oop stairs dey roon down, 
and when I am down stairs dey roon oop." Happiness belongs to 
those who can stand before God with a clear conscience, to such 
the stairs will always be running in the right direction. Read 
Prov. 10 — , special verse 28. 



ORDINARY PEOPLE. 

First of all, if you feel that you are ordinary, thank God that 
you are not extraordinary. I am tired and sick and bored almost 
to death with extraordinary people. They take all their time to 
tell you how very extraordinary they really are. You know as well 
as I do, my brother and sister, that the most of the useful work of 
the world is done by unpretentious people who toil right on — by 
people who do not get much approval, and no one seems to say : 
"That is well done." Phenomena are of but little use. Things 
that are exceptional cannot be depended on. Better trust the small- 
est planet that swings on its orbit than ten comets shooting this 
way and that, imperiling the longevity of worlds attending to their 
own business. For steady illumination better is a lamp than a 
rocket. Then, if you feel that you are ordinary, remember that 
your position invites the less attack. — Dr. Talmage. 



MONOTONOUS. 



In the course of his pastoral visitations Rev. Dr. Chalmers 
called upon a worthy shoemaker, who, in recounting his blessings, 
said that he and his . family had lived happily together for thirty 
years without a single quarrel. This was too much for the doctor, 
who struck his cane on the floor and exclaimed : "Terribly monot- 
onous, man ! terribly monotonous !" 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



IC3 



HE LEADETH ME. 

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy 
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto 
a land that I will shew thee. Gen. 12:1. — And the Lord went 
before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way, 
and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light : to go by day 
and night. Ex. 13:21. — For this God is our God forever and 
ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Ps. 48:14. — Thou 
shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to thy 
glory. Ps. 73 :24. — And I will bring the blind by a way that they 
knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known : I 
will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. 
These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isa. 
42 :i6. — Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art the God 




of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. The meek will he 
guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach the way. Ps. 
2 5 : 5- 9- — To him (the Shepherd) the porter openeth, and the 
sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name and 
leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he 
goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his 
voice. Jno. 10:3, 4. — For as many as are led by the Spirit of 
God, they are the sons of God. Rom. 8:14. 

God's promises are ever true and he will perform them. He 
will lead and guide His own, but it must be in His own way and 
not theirs. How often people endeavor to get ahead of their 
guide, and generally suffer thereby. The Japanese as a rule do not 
use the horse on the public road, tyut. is doing so here. He goes 
up and down, and about the mountains, and some places that are 
dangerous, but he is led. He would not go very far alone before 



104 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



some accident would happen: but he is always safe when guided 
by his master. The Christian will not walk safely alone in this 
life without the guidance of his heavenly Father, Jesus his Savior, 
and the Holy Spirit. Read 2 Cor. 12 — , special verse 9. 



THE EMPTY CHAIR. 

David's place was empty. 1 Sam. 20:25. — Thou preparest a 
table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my 
head with oil : my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy 
shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the 
house of the Lord forever. Ps. 23 :5, 6. — And David (The King) 
said unto him (Mephibosheth) Fear not: for I will surely shew 
thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee 




all the land of Saul thy father ; and thou shalt eat bread at my table 
continually. 2 Sam. 9 7. — Bless the Lord, O my soul : and all that 
is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and 
forget not all his benefits, ps. 103 :i, 2. 

This is in a Japanese Nobleman's home in Tokio. It is the 
parlor for foreigners, which explains the presence of the table and 
chairs. The parlor is on the second floor and in the rear end of 
the house, overlooking a splendidly kept rear yard, and the wide 
river. The room is quite large, having beautiful brussels carpet 
and only the furniture that is seen in the picture. They were ex- 
ceedingly kind, thoughtful and generous in making my visits to 
them pleasant. The table was always prepared, and ladened with 
the best things of the home. In fact, they were better to me than 
I deserved. Do we forget the benefits the Lord bestows upon us 
day by day ? There is your chair at home, and in the church. Are 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



IO: 



you filling up the place? Then too, Jesus went back to heaven to 

prepare a place for you. Will your seat be empty ? Jno. 14 :i,2. 

Read Phil. 4 — , special verse 19. 



LITTLE BUT MIGHTY. 

Even the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. 
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! And the tongue 
is a fire, and a world of iniquity: but the tongue can no man tame; 
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Jas. 3 15, 6, 8. — Where- 
fore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hyprocrisies, and 
enemies, and all evil speakings. 1 Pet. 2:1.— The words of his 
mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his 




words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Ps. 
55 :21 - — Wherefore seeing we also are composed about with so 
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the 
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 
the race that is before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 
of our faith ; who for the joy that was set before him endured the 
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of 
the throne of God. Heb. 12 :i, 2. 

The little rustic bridges are near Old Faithful geyser in the 
Yellowstone Park. Driving along the road one would see the 
trees having these odd looking bumps on them. It is said that 
they were caused by the sting of an insect. I presume that every 
time the tongue is set unlawfully in motion that it leaves a bump 
on some one's life and character. The better way is to look to the 



ico RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



Author and Finisher of our faith, than to occupy ourselves in that 
manner. 

' 'There is so much bad in the best of us, 
And so much good in the worst of us, 
That it ill becomes any of us 
To talk about the rest of us." 

— R. L. Stevenson. 
Read Psalm 84 — , special verse 11. 



THE FOUR WHEELS OF DIVINE PROMISE. 

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold 
thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the 
people, for a light of the Gentiles ; to open the blind eyes, to bring 
out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness 
out of the prison house. Isa. 42 :6, 7. 

Frances Ridley Havergal, the poet saint, whose songs breathe 
an atmosphere of Christian confidence unsurpassed by any writer 
outside of the Bible, used these words as her chariot of fire to 
bear her home. On the last day of her life she asked a friend to 
read her this forty-second chapter of Isaiah. When the friend 
had reached these verses Miss Havergal stopped her, "Called, 
held, kept, used," she whispered. "Well, I will just go home on 
that." And she did go home on that, making it her celestial 
chariot, which no one doubts had abundant entrance through the 
pearly gates into the city of gold. — Dr. L. A. Banks. 



A HANDSOME APOLOGY. 

Ned and his grandmother are the best of friends, but some- 
times the little boy's tongue is too quick to please the old lady. 
Then Ned apologizes, after a fashion of his own, which his 
grandmother approves. 

' "I got tired lugging that wheelborrow for grandmother when 
she was changing her plants," Ned said to his mother, recounting 
the day's events at bedtime, "and I said, 'I wish there wasn't 
another speck of this hateful dirt in all the world!" But then 
afterward I 'pologized." 

"I'm glad of that," said his mother. "Did you tell her you 
were sorry?" 

"No, that's not the kind grandmother likes best," said Ned. 
"I got another wheelbarrowful, and I just said, 'Don't you want 
some more of this nice dirt, grandmother?' And then we were 
all right again." — Youth's Companion. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 



107 



PREPARED. 

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel : and because I 
will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12. — 
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to 
turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient 
to the wisdom of the just to make ready a people prepared for 
the Lord. Luke 1 \ij. — And saith unto them, Ye shall drink 
indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am 
baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not 
mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is pre- 
pared of my Father. Matt. 20:23. — And that servant, which 
knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according; 
to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12 \^y. — 




But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither 
have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath 
prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2 :g. See also Jno. 
14:1, 2. 

A view of the canal running through Yokohama, Japan, and 
looking out to the Bay. It is a busy place. The fishing boats, 
barges, and canoes ply back and forth all the day long. The 
first barge is filled with coal, which is being placed in the coaling 
station for certain foreign vessels that may happen to run short of 
fuel. In this way they are always prepared while away from 
home ports for such an emergency. Note how they load and un- 
load. It is very tedious work. God has called out of heaven to 
all mankind to prepare and be ready to enjoy the blessed things 
that he is preparing for his obedient children. Are you preparing 
to be carried out of this earthly life? Heaven is a prepared place 



io8 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



for a prepared people. God said to the rich man, Thou fool, this 
night thy soul shall be required of thee. Luke 12 :2c He for- 
got to get ready. That was all. Read Psalm 91 — , special 
verse 1. 



MADE CLEAN. 

Purge me with hysop, and I shall be clean : wash me, and I 
shall be whiter than snow. Ps. 51 :/. — Come now, and let us 
reason together, said the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, 
they shall be as white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, 
they shall be as wool. Isa. 1 :i8. — But if we walk in the light, as 
he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the 
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we 




■confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and 
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jno. 1 :y,g. — And from 
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of 
the dead, and the prince of kings of the earth. Unto him that 
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Rev. 1 : 
5. — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgive- 
ness of sin, according to the riches of his grace. Eph. 1 \J. 

The Japanese woman is at the brook washing the soiled cloth- 
ing. It is a pure stream coming from the mountains. It is very 
typical of the work that Christ came to this world to do for sinful 
man. No sins will be permitted to creep into heaven in any man- 
ner, therefore man must be cleansed from this awful stain in this 
present life, if he would enjoy the future with God. It makes no 
difference who you are, you may come to Jesus and be cleansed from 
all sin. ,He is the living and eternal fountain. Are you made 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. nx> 



clean? And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and 
touched him, (the leper) and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 

"Oh, precious is the flow, 
That makes me white as snow; 
No other fount I know, 
Nothing but the blood of Jesus." 

Read Ephesians i — , special verse 3. 



A NOBLE ANIMAL. 

The Rajah Dowlah, with a large train of followers, was once 
going hunting in the" neighborhood of Lucknow. On their way 
they had to pass through a ravine, in which several invalids were 
lying to receive what benefit they could from the exposure to the 
sun and air. ;When their attendants saw the approaching party, 
they ran away leaving their charges to their fate. The Grand 
Vizier, who was riding his favorite elephant, saw the invalids 
were right in his way, but was determined not to alter his course 
for their sakes. As long as the elephant had a free path he went 
on at full pace, but as soon as he came to the helpless persons he 
stopped, and would not go on in spite of all the goads the driver 
inflicted. "Stick the beast in the ear!" cried the Rajah, becoming 
furious. It was done, but in vain. The noble animal waited 
some time, but as no one came to remove the invalids, he care- 
fully carried each separately in his trunk to a place where the)'" 
would not be in danger of being trampled to death by the passing 
procession. — Edward James Tripp. 



'■ WHERE WAS THE DEVIL? 

A colored brother was in the habit of seeing a devil in the 
organ behind the pulpit. His bishop said to him : "I. expect 
when you go into the church, the devil is there sure enough but 
you don't locate him right. He's not in there right behind the 
pulpit, but he's in you. You've mislocated things; that's the 
trouble." 



The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: 
thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. Ps. 41 13. 

Bishop O. P. Fitzgerald says a certain pastor called upon one 
of his members who was severely tried through sickness and asked 
him, How are you, sir? He replied, My head is resting very 
sweetly on three pillows — infinite love, infinite wisdom and infinite 
power." 



no 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



HE CARES FOR YOU. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Ps. 23:1. — I 
have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the right- 
eous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, 
and lendeth, and His seed is blessed. Ps. 37 125, 26. — But my 
God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory 
by Christ Jesus. Ps. 4:19. — What is man, that thou art mindful 
of him ? and the son of man, that thou visiteth him ? Ps. 8 '.4. — 
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the 
goodness of the Lord. Ps. 2>3 : 5- — How precious also are thy 
thoughts unto me, O God ! how great is the sum of them. Ps. 
139:17. — When my father and my mother forsake me, then the 
Lord will take me up. Ps. 27:10. 

These are Japanese Buddhist priests begging. They worship 




■a superstitious god that ever fails them. (See page 65). They 
merely beg for their own gain, and not to distribute, and to do 
good with it. The motive is purely selfish. They will go to the 
door, and ring a little bell, and sing a few words, that neither 
they nor anybody else understand. They may receive a rin (1-10 
of a cent) or go rin (1-2 cent) and go on their journey. It is 
like many Christians begging of God to do something for them, and 
not receiving from Him because there is too selfish a motive at- 
tached to it. Selfishness is the tremendous sin in the world to- 
day. When sin is in the heart the Lord will not hear. See Ps. 
66:18. Christ came into the world to put away sin, and to place 
man back in communion with God so that he may claim the right 
to his covenants and promises. God never fails that which he 
promised to man. We often fail, but he pities still and cares for 
us always. As long as he (Uzziah) sought the Lord, God made 
him to prosper.- 2 Chron, 26:5. Read Psalm 119: 129-160. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



in 



PEACE. 

The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will 
bless His people with peace. Ps. 29:11. — Mark the perfect man, 
and behold the upright. For the end of that man is peace. Ps. 
37 : 37- — Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1 — But God hath 
called us to peace. 1 Cor. 7 :i5. — For thou shalt be in league with 
the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace 
with thee. Job. 5 123. — There is no peace saith my God to the 
wicked. Isa. 57:21. — They have healed also the hurt of the 
•daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there 
:is no peace. Jer. 6:14. — And let the peace of God rule in your 




hearts, to the which ye are called in one body; and be ye thank- 
ful. Col. 3:15. — Peace I (Jesus) leave with you, My peace I 
give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not 
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27. 

This is in the Yellowstone Park nearby the road. The man 
is tenting for the day. The bear came from his wild woodland 
den to visit him, and receives in return some sugar or syrup from 
the dish. They are on very peaceable terms. It is hardly be- 
lievable, yet true. Between God and the unrighteous there is no 
peace, but the work of Jesus Christ was to bring sinful man back 
to God, thereby making peace. To be at peace with God, and 
to have the peace of God ruling in our hearts, are supreme priv- 
ileges of the Christian. Have you these in your life? 

Read Ezekiel 33 :y- 16, special verse 9. 



112 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



THE THRONE. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we 
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. Heb. 
4:16. — Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly 
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh 
in us. Eph. 3 :20. — Be careful for nothing : but in every thing by 
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be 
made known unto God. Phil. 4:6. — Likewise the Spirit helpeth 
our infirmities : for we know not what Ave should pray for as we 
ought : but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groan- 
ings which cannot be uttered. Rom. 8 '.26. — Continue in prayer, 
and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2. — What is it 
then ? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the under- 
standing also : I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the 




understanding also. 1 Cor. 14:15. — Remember me, O my God, 
for good. Neh. 13:31. — For the eyes of the Lord are over the 
righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers : but the face of 
the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Pet. 3:12. 

This is the same temple, as on page 49, opened on dedication 
day. Many came to make their offerings, and go through their 
very simple religious ceremony. I noticed that they, who only rang 
the bell, standing outside, were going through merely a super- 
ficial form. You can see the woman kneeling inside. She meant 
business. She was really in earnest. She came with her little son. 
They did not remain at the door, like the others, but entering and 
kneeling, she prayed. A beautiful devotion, indeed, even to a sup- 
erstitious god made with hands. How much more ought we, who 
have the Scriptures to know who God is, and who Christ is, as 
well as the Holy Spirit? Read 1 John 3 — , special verse 2. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



ii.S 



OBEDIENCE. 

God says, Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, 
and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto 
me above all the people. Ex. 19 15. — Behold, I set before you this 
day a blessing and a curse : a blessing, if ye obey the command- 
ments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day. 
Deut. 1 1 '.26, 27. — And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord 
our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey. Joshua 24 124. 
— Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We 
ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5 129. — Children, obey 
your parents in the Lord : for this is right. Eph. 6:1. — And being 
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became 
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2 :8. — 
For the time is come that the judgment must begin at the house 




of God : and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that 
obey not the gospel of God? 1 Pet. 4:17. 

The old philosopher Aristotle once said that, "Wicked men 
obey from fear: good men, from love." This is quite true. 
"Obedience," says Aeschylus, "is the mother of success, and is 
wedded to safety." There is no principle more noble, surely 
none more holy than that of true obedience. Sometimes it seems 
to me that this is the day and age of parent becoming obedient to 
their children, rather than the children obeying the parents. God's 
way should be adhered to under all circumstances. At the St. 
Louis fair I saw a beautiful instance of obedience in the famous 
twenty mule team which hauls mineral out of Death Valley. 
Above we see only six of the teams. It seemed that just a word 
from the lips of the driver was perfectly understood and forth- 
with obeyed. They would turn the sharpest corner and never 



ii4 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



touch a lamp-post or tree, so true were they to their master's 
direction. Man's blessings depend upon his obedience to God. 
As Christ obeyed even unto the death on the cross, so should the 
Christian be willing to obey God's commands wholly, and holy. 
Read James i — , special verse 12. 



THE FEELING CAME LATER. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith : and that not of your- 
selves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest any man should 
boast. Eph. 2 :8, 9. 

A wealthy dealer in land was present one night at a service 
in Dr. Torrey's Chicago church. 

"Are you a Christian?" the evangelist asked him afterwards. 

"No," was the reply. "I should like to be a Christian, and 
hope to become one sometime or other." 

"But why not tonight?" queried Dr. Torrey. 

"I haven't the feeling of the conviction of sin," came the 
answer. 

"Don't you know you are a sinner, that Jesus Christ died for 
your sins, and that if you accept Christ He will save you just as 
you are?" 

"I haven't the feeling!" 

"Bother the feeling!" retorted the evangelist; "it's a question 
of common sense. Suppose a man came to your office to offer you 
a plot of land worth $5,000, which you knew would eventually be 
worth $20,000, would you feel like buying it or would you refuse 
it?" 

"I would buy it, feeling or no feeling" — eagerly. 

"Will you accept Christ, feeling or no feeling?" said Dr. 
Torrey, driving the point home. 

"I will," he declared promptly. 

The man afterwards became a trustee of the church and a 
staunch worker. 



WONDROUS LOVE. 
A repulsive-looking old woman who, after a life of unbelief, 
had been converted, became the subject of persecution at the hands 
of her godless neighbors. In every way they sought to anger or 
otherwise disturb the spirit of patience and loving-kindness that 
now possessed her. Finally an old persecutor, having exhausted all 
her resources in the attempt, venomously exclaimed, "I think 
you're the ugliest old woman that I ever saw." To which the old 
woman, her face beaming with a light that made her beautiful, re- 
plied in tears, "Wasn't it wonderful that He (Jesus) could have 
loved an ugly woman like me?" 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



ii5 



BATTLES OF LIFE. 

That we also may be like all nations ; and that our king may 
judge and go out before us, and fight our battles. 1 Sam. 8 120. — 

1 pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid : for the Lord 
will certainly make my Lord a sure house; because my lord fight- 
eth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all 
thy days. 1 Sam. 25 :28. — With him is an arm of flesh; but with 
its is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the 
people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 

2 Chron. 32 :8. — What shall we say then to these things ? If God 
be for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:31. — The Lord is my 
light and my salvation : whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the 




strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps. 27:1. — Fear 
thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : 
I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee 
with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa. 41 :io. 

You have read all about the battle of Santiago de Cuba. Here 
we see it on a small scale, as represented at the St. Louis Fair. 
Note the forts and the ships. It appeared to be quite real, though 
the ships were small and the forts not very substantial. The boom- 
ing of the cannon from both the ships and the forts, stirred up one's 
patriotism to the highest pitch. You could hear the terrible ex- 
plosion of the shells right behind the stone walls. Now and then 
Spanish warships (the enemy) would sail out to fight, only to change 
their minds and return to safety. It made the heart glad to know- 
that this was no real battle, no one hurt in any way. But do you 
know there are real active battles in the every day life of man? 
Each person has his or her. battles both inward and from without 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



to fight every hour in the day. Trials and temptations are many. 
Who can know them till they are upon us? Blessed it is to hear 
the Divine Voice say, 'Tear not." The Lord is always willing to 
help in time of trouble. Romans 12 — , special verse 2. 



WASTED. 



And he said, A certain man had two sons : and the younger 
of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods 
that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And 
not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and 
took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance 
with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a 




mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 
15:11-14. — He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him 
that is a great waster. Prov. 18:9. — I went by the field of the 
slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered 
the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then 
I saw and considered it well : I looked upon it and received in- 
struction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the 
hands to sleep : so shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth ; and 
thy want as an armed man. Prov. 24 130-34. 

[Time wasted is ever lost. In the scene above you see the 
Gibbon river, Yellowstone Park. In the stream there is a large 
rock. How long it has been there, no one knows, but He who 
placed it there. It is standing on a mere stem. Quite a curiosity 
it is. The water has eaten away the lower part little by little, 
grain by grain. What a picture of life. Wastefulness of time, 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. n 



money and energy ruins the life and brings grief and desolation 
to many a heart. Wilful waste makes woeful want. Read Gal. 
6 — , special verse 8. 



THE ADDITIONS. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness : 
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6 133. — Where- 
by are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises : that 
by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped 
the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, 
giving all diligence, add to. your faith virtue; and to virtue know- 
ledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; 




and to patience godliness ; and to godliness brotherly 
kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things 
be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be 
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, 
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 2 Pet. 
1 14. — And God is able to make all grace abound toward you ; that 
ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every 
good work. 2 Cor. 9:8. 

This life is one of addition and subtraction, of gain and loss. 
The cone-shape object is the Lone Star geyser in the Yellowstone 
Park. It is probably 12 feet high and about that many feet in 
diameter at the base. The crater consists of a large central open- 
ing, out of which is thrown every three or four hours boiling water, 
spray and steam from 6c to 100 feet high. This cone is interest- 



iiS RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ing and beautiful — being striped vertically with bands of white, 
brown, lavander, and intermixed with the varying shades of yel- 
low, and covered with an almost innumerable variety of pearl- 
like beads. How long it has been in building, man can only con- 
jecture, but probably centuries. Forming itself by adding little 
by little of the mineral substance contained in the water. Every 
one is adding something to his or her character every day. It is 
either good or evil. The Christian should be adding the elements 
named above, which are necessary to a growing christian life. It 
you lack any of these essential elements in your life then ask God 
to add them to you. Jesus says, "If we will to do his will." Jno~ 
7:17. — That is the secret of it. Read Mark 4:14-25. 



HE WAS SO BUSY. • 

T 

"One year ago to-day I sat at my desk busy with the month's 
bills and accounts, when a bright-faced, starry-eyed lad of twelve 
rushed in and impetuously announced, "Say, pa, this is your birth- 
day; you are fifty-five years old and I am going to give you fifty- 
five kisses, one for each year." And he began to make good his 
word when I exclaimed, "O Andrew, don't do it now, I am so 
busy!" His silence attracted my attention, and, looking up, I saw 
his big blue eyes filled with tears, and apologetically said, "You 
can finish to-morrow." He made no reply, but was unable to con- 
ceal his disappointment, his face wearing a grieved expression as 
he quietly walked away. 

The same evening I said, "Come and finish the kisses now, 
Andrew," but he did not respond to the invitation. 

Two months later, in consequence of an accident, the waves 
of the Fox River closed over his body, and we carried him away 
to sleep near the village where he loved to spend his summer 
vacations. The robin's note was never sweeter than his voice, 
and the turtle-doves that coo to their nestlings where he sleeps 
could not be more gentle than my little boy who never finished 
his love-imposed task. 

If I could build a ladder to the skies and find him there : it 
I could only tell him how much I regret the thoughtless word 
spoken; if I could be assured that he understands and knows how 
my heart is aching because of the unkind request, there would be 
no man in all this wide world so inexpressibly happy as the one 
who sits to-day and thinks how he prevented an act that love in- 
spired, and grieved a little heart as tender as the mercy of God. 

"And, be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted." — A. W. 
Bruner. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



j 19 



RICHES. 

O Lord, how manifold are Thy works ! in wisdom hast Thou 
made them all : the earth is full of Thy riches. Ps. 104 -.24.- — 
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high 
minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who 
giveth us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6:17. — Despiseth 
thou the riches of His goodness and forebearance and long-suffer- 
ing, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to re- 
pentance? Rom. 2 4. — That in the ages to come He (God) might 
show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us 
through Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:7. — Unto me, who am less than 
the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach 
among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Eph. 3 :8. 




— O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of 
God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past 
finding out. Rom. 11:13. — I 11 whom we have redemption 
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches 
of His. grace. Eph. 1 \j. 

How devotedly people dig after the worldly riches! This is 
noble, if the riches are used nobly. See the long steel bridge and 
the train it carries, Each little steel car holds four tons of ore. 
It is a gold mine at Lead City, S. D. This ore has been brought 
up from a depth of 1100 feet. It is said the deeper they go, the 
richer the ore. The train carries the ore from the elevator of Hie 
mine to the stamp mill, where the gold is separated from the 
dirt. Riches untold. The Bible is a mine, in which are stored 
the riches of God's promises for man. Riches for the unbeliever 
and precious things for the believer, for the young and the aged, 



120 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



eternal riches of God. Are you living an unhappy spiritual Hie 
with all the riches of heaven so freely offered to you through 
Christ? Read i Kings 3:1-15, special verse 9. 



FORTRESS. 



And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my 
deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust : he is my shield, 
and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my 
savior ; thou savest me from violence. 2 Sam. 22 :2, 3. — O Lord 
my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of afflic- 
tion. Jer. 16:19. — The Lord also will be a refuge for the op- 




pressed, refuge in times of trouble. Ps. 9 :g. — But I will sing of 
thy power ; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning : for 
thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. 
Ps. 59:16. — In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my 
strength, and my refuge is in God. Ps. 62 \J. — The Lord is my 
light and my salvation; whom shall I fear; the Lord is the strength 
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid. Ps. 27:1. 

This round tower or fort was built in 1821, which now forms 
a part of Fort Snelling, near St. Paul, Minn. It was used by 
the white people (soldiers) and others to protect themselves from 
the Indian attacks and ravages. It was their safe hiding place 
and refuge in time of trouble and danger. In affliction and trouble 
the Christian has a hiding place that the worldly one knows not. 
Read John ic — s special verse 38. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



121 



FOLLOWERS. 

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and 
findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. John 1 143. — My 
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 
John 10:27. — -But Peter followed him afar off unto the high 
priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the 
end. Matt. 26:58. — And many shall follow their pernicious ways; 
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 
Pet. 2:2. — For even hereunto were ye called: .because Christ also 
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his 
steps. 1 Pet. 2:21. — Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any 
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his 
cross and follow me. Matt. 16:24. — If any man serve me, let 
him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; 




if any man serve me, him will my father honor. John 12 126. 

The Philippine Band is playing on the opening day at the St. 
Louis Fair. They were happy to have the privilege to do so. 
It was an honor conferred upon them indeed, coming from their far 
off Island home, to lead in the program of this day. They were 
willing workers, ready to follow their captain wherever he should 
lead them,. In another way they had to deny themselves very much, 
by leaving their homes and loved ones, to come over here. No 
doubt that in their hearts there were many crosses to bear. The 
Christians ought to be even more willing workers for their Captain 
Jesus, who has redeemed them from the curse of sin, and to fol- 
low him, though there be some heavy crosses to bear and denials 
in life. If you watch other people you will get your life no 
better nor higher than theirs. Follow no man. Follow Christ. 



122 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



This will keep you from many painful stumblings. 
i :i-i6, special verse 16. 



Read Romans 



BURDENS. 



For every one shall bear his own burden. Cal. 6:5. — So then 
every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. Rom. 14 : 
12. — For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. 
Rom. 3 123. — For we must all appear before the judgment seat of 
Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, 
according to that he hath clone, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor. 
5:10. — For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is 
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23. — For thy 
name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; "for it is great. Ps. 




25 :n. — Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and 
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have 
sinned. Rom. 5 :i2. 

The Japanese women are carrying coke to market from the 
mountains. Quite a burden they carry. All of us have little 
earthly burdens to carry, but the greatest of all burdens, -.is the 
burden of sin that is strapped to one's own soul. It is too heavy 
for man to bear up. Trying to be joyful will not take it away. 
Wordly knowledge cannot dislodge it. Worldly amusements only 
deepens the sting. The good deeds you may do will not have 
any merit to atone for sin. Sympathy of your friends will not 
be strong enough to remove the awful pangs coming from it. 
Will you carry the burden alone eternally? Listen to the only 
cure! "For when we were yet without strength, Christ died for 
the ungodly" (the sinner). Rom. 5:6. The three great burdens: 
1. Cast thy burden on the Lord. Ps. 55:22. Help your 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



12 



fellow-brother with his burden. Gal. 6:2. 3. The burden of 
Jesus Avas the sins of the people. Luke 19:41. He wept over 
sinful Jerusalem and its people. Read 1 Peter 4 — , special verse 17. 



STRENGTH. 

And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein 
thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound 
to afflict thee. Judge 16:6. — Wait on the Lord; be of good 
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart : wait, I say, on the 
Lord. Ps. 27:14. — The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of 
languishing. Ps. 41 13. — But the God of all grace, who hath called 
us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suf- 




fered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. — 
1 Pet. 5 :io. — Then he (Nehemiah) said unto them, Go your way, 
eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for 
whom nothing is prepared : for this day is holy unto our Lord : 
neither be ye sorry : for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 
Neh. 8:10. — That he (God) would grant you, according to the 
riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit 
in the inner man. Eph. 3:16. — I can do all things through Christ 
which strengthened! me. Phil. 4:13. — In the day when I cried 
thou answeredest me, and strengthenest me with strength in my 
soul. Ps. 138:3. 

The men are driving piles for the foundation of a large build- 
ing in Sioux City, Iowa. The pilings are made of concrete, and 
are driven into the ground by an immense iron weight. How 
could that dried mixture of crushed stone and cement stand such. 



124 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



tremendous shocks? I then saw the wooden box mould, into this 
was placed three heavy iron rods the same length as the mould, 
and the concrete poured in around them and then left to be hardened 
by the sun. The now invisible rods were the strength of the piles. 
So Christ in the inner man becomes his strength. It is the Holy 
Spirit of God that enters and quickens the life, and the storms of 
the world may beat away, but in Christ's name and strength such 
will stand the tests. For every new day and every new task you 
will need new, or renewed strength. The strength of yesterday 
will not do for to-day. The engine cannot pull its load to-day with 
the coal and steam that was used yesterday. Read Psalm 27 — , 
special verse 13. 



PICK UP AS YOU GO. 
A young girl visiting the country was following the farmer's 
wife along a winding half overgrown path amid a tangle of wild 
flowers. The young visitor exclaimed at their variety and beauty. 
"I mean to gather all I can carry when we come back and I have 
a little more time," she said. "Better pick them now if you want 
them," said the elder woman. " 'Taint likely we'll come back 
this way." It was one of those' simple, homely incidents that 
sometimes seem to epitomize life. (We must pick now, if we want 
them at all, the flowers that God scatters along our way. The 
pleasant hours, the dear friendships, the offered confidences, the 
happy gatherings — all the brightnesses and blessings that we so 
often push aside, but mean to find leisure to enjoy sometime — we 
must take them day by day as they come, or we shall lose them 
altogether ; we never can turn back to find them. 



THE MORALIST. 
The dahlia would surely be a very empress among flowers if 
it had but perfume equal to its beauty: even the rose might need 
to look to her sovereignty. Florists have tried all their arts to 
scent this lovely child of autumn but in vain, no fragrance can be 
developed or produced. The reflecting mind will be reminded of 
those admirable characters which are occasionally met with, in 
which everything of good repute and comely aspect may be seen, 
but true religion, that sweet ethereal perfume of grace, as wanting : 
if they had but love to God, what lovely beings they would be, 
the best of the saints would not excel them, and }^et that fragrant 
grace they do not seek, and after every effort we may make for 
their conversion, they remain content without the one thing which 
is needful for their perfection. O that the Lord would impart to 
them the mystic sweetness of his grace by the Holy Spirit. — Spur- 
geon. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 12: 



THE PHILOSOPHER. 

(The Infidel, Agnostic, Unitarian and Christian Science), 
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain de- 
ceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, 
and not after Christ. Col. 2 :8. — Now I beseech you, brethren, 
mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doc- 
trine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Rom, 13:17. — Bui; 
the natural (unconverted) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit 
of God : for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know 
them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14. — Be 
not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a 
good thing that the heart he established with grace ; not with meats^ 
which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Heb. 




13:9. — Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of 
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of diso- 
bedience. Eph. 5 :6. — That we henceforth be no more children, 
tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the 
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to 
deceive. Eph.4:i4. — Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the 
spirits whether they are of God : because many false prophets are 
gone out into the world. 1 Jno. 4:1. — For we are not as many, 
Which corrupt the word of God : but as of sincerity, but as of God, 
in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Cor. 2:17. 

Since the first man fell away from God, this world has been in 
a bad mix-up. Sin takes advantage of man now, as it did then, 
and by its utmost subtlety, induces men to become would-be philos- 
ophers. God himself gave the truth to the Israelites, and trusted 
it to them for their use, as well as for the whole of mankind, but 



the Gentile part of the world would not have it, so they began in 
their own strength and wisdom to search and speculate about the 
weightier things of life and eternity, but in vain. They had the 
precious truth right in their midst, but because of doubt, distrust, 
and selfishness they were not able to grasp it. They were playing 
around the roots of the tree, or scanning the starry sky, and missed 
the fruit. This philosopher may be very respectable and moral 
in his outward life, nevertheless, in his heart there is sin, which 
God sees and knows. He makes his reason his god. He lives on 
his pride and self-conceit, and is just as badly mixed-up as the 
picture. It is doubled. He trys to stand with his feet above the 
Church and her teachings. He usually wears a sad and unsatisfied 
countenance. He never has an open hand to anybody or anything. 
He believes in anything that is for himself. He will probably 
admit the moral teachings of Jesus Christ to be good, but will re- 
ject all the rest of the Scriptures pertaining to Jesus as a Divine 
Savior from Sin. He would rather live and die by a law made by 
himself than to have one given from God. He prefers a man 
made religion than a God revealed religion. The great Apostle 
says, But there were false prophets also among the people, even 
as there shall be false teachers among you, Avho privily shall bring 
in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, 
and bring anon themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet. 2:1. — As 
Dr. William A Ouayle expresses it, "It (the Bible) is the only 
book in the world that treats of eternity." Cherish it. Love it. 
It has been the means of making millions of lives happier, even, 
in this life, and will make yours also, if you will use it rightly. 
Read Joshua 24:14-29. 



A SINNER. 



And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so 
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, 
God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13. — God, thou art my 
God : early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh 
longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. 
Ps.'63:t. 

When the Duke of Kent, the father of Queen" Victoria, 
was expressing, in the prospect of death, some concern about the 
state of his soul, his physician endeavored to soothe his mind 
by referring. to his high respectability, and his honorable conduct 
in the distinguished situation in which Providence had placed him, 
when he stopped him short, saying, "No, remember if I am to be 
saved, it is not as a Prince, but as a sinner." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 127 



CLOTHED AND UNCLOTHED. 

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness 
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, 
like the wind, have taken us away. Isa. 64.6. — For they being 
ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their 
own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the right- 
eousness of God. Rom. 10:3. — Know ye not that the unrighteous 
shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? 1 Cor. 6 :g. — For the 
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of 
men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. 'Rom. 1 :i8. — That 
ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which 
is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts ; and be re- 
newed in the spirit of your mind ; and that ye put on the new man, 




which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
Eph. 4 -.22-24. — And be found in him, not having mine own 
righteousness, which is after the law, but that which is through 
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith : 
that I may know him (Christ), and the power of His resurrection, 
and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable 
unto His death. Phil. 3 :c/, 10. — I put on righteousness, and it 
clothed me. Job 29:14. — Then they went to see what was done; 
and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the demons 
were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right 
mind. Luke 8:35. — Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is 
a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are 
become new. For He hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, 
who knew no sin; that we might be made the .righteousness of 
God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:17, 22. — I will greatly rejoice in the 



128 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for He hath clothed 
me with the garment of salvation, he hath covered me with the 
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with orna- 
ments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels. Isa. 61 no. — 
But the path of the just (righteous) is as a shining light, that 
shineth more and more unto the perfect clay. Prov. 4:18. 

On the dividing line of the mountains and plain in northern 
Luzon, Philippine Islands, stands a little village called San Sebas- 
tian. The mountainous portion is inhabited by the Igorrotes, one 
of the primitive tribes of the Island. To this place they come 
to barter for their rice and dogs, and carry cargo, from a match 
box to a living person, that may be destined for their part of the 
country. I saw about 100 dogs on the market here, selling from 
twenty-five cents to $2.00 each. At the very sight of these people 
they would set up the most piteous howls, seeming to know in- 
stinctively that they were to be led back to their woodland huts 
to be slaughtered and feasted over. The huts are surely, dark 
dingy places. Their clothing is the natural God given garb with 
a breech-clout thrown in the bargain, and all badly soiled by the 
accumulated filth of time. A bath to them would be apparently as 
unnatural as it would be for a canary bird to live in a mud-puddle. 
The blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ is necessary to change them. 
You see four of these men, strong and muscular, standing together. 
They carried the writer (who was unable to walk, and no horses 
in that part to be had) clown to this village from Baggiou. You 
see also nearby the tree the Christian Philippines standing, 
clothed. It is a true picture of the two classes of people in the 
world to-day — the unrighteous and the righteous, in other words, 
the unclothed and the clothed. The Igorrotes seem to be satisfied 
wearing their soiled and filthy garments, and I could imagine them 
saying, "We are just as good as they are." So it is with the 
unrighteous or rather self-righteous, whether they are the strictest 
moralists or the vilest of men. They are seemingly self-satisfied, 
but are buried alive under their filthy garments of sin. God 
offers to such His robe of righteousness through the Redeeming 
work of Christ. Do you desire it or do you prefer to meet Him 
face to face in your own garb of self-righteousness? David was 
quite honest and cried out of a full heart to God : I acknowledge 
my sin unto thee. Ps. 32 .-5. Read Hebrews 4 — , special verse 16. 



Make each clay useful and cheerful, and prove that you know 
the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be 
happy, old age without regret, and life a beautiful success. — 
Louise M. Alcott. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



129 



CAPTIVE AND IN PRISON. 

•'But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the 
Lord : and be sure your sin will find you out. Num. 32 123. — 
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law 
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which 
is in my members. Rom. 7 123. — And at midnight Paul and Silas 
prayed and sang praises unto God : and the prisoners heard them. 
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the founda- 
tions of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors 
were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16:25, 2 ^. 
— But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the 
door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning 




unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them 
how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said, Go 
tell these things unto James, and the brethren. And he departed, 
and went into another place. Acts 12:16, 17. — -The Spirit of the 
Lord is upon me .(Jesus), because he hath anointed me to preach 
the gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, 
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to 
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. (Luke 4:18. — If 
the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 
Jno. 8:36. 

This is the Minnesota State Prison which had in it in the 
fall of 1905 nearly 700 men and women. Some were there for 
life, while others were serving lesser sentences. It made one feel 
sad to see them penned up in these high walls with sentinels 
watching, that none may escape. Somehow their sin had found 
them out, and put them there. As I walked about the prison, the 



no RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



thought struck me so forcibly that we were all captives and pris- 
oners in sin. Jesus had power to set Peter and Paul free from 
the earthly prison, so he has power to set the sinner free from the 
law of sin and death. Paul says, There is therefore now no 
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not 
after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of 
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and 
death. Rom. 8:1, 2. Orthodoxy of opinion can never liberate 
us, priest-craft cannot, morality cannot; but the divine redeeming 
Christ can. Millions of every age gladly testify to his delivering 
power. Once in bondage of sin, now they are free. Christ has 
set them free. Read Psalm 103 — , special verse 13. 



THE TOIL OF SIX. 
Henry Ward Beecher said, "There was a man in the town 
where I was born who used to steal all his firewood. He would 
get up on cold nights and go and take it from his neighbors wood 
piles. A computation was made, and it was ascertained that he 
spent more time and worked harder to get his fuel, than he would 
have been obliged to if he had earned it in an honest way, and at 
ordinary wages, and this thief is a type of thousands of men who 
work a great deal harder to please the devil than they would have 
to work to please God." 



WORD TO PARENTS. 

Dr. John C. Paton tells this experience while laboring in mis- 
sion work in Glasgow. "In my mission district I was the witness 
of many joyful departures to be with Jesus — I do not like to call 
them "deaths" at all. John Sim, a dear little boy, was carried away 
by comsumption. His child-heart seemed to be filled with joy 
about Jesus. It was the very pathos of the song incarnated to 
hear the weak quaver of his dying voice singing out 
"I lay my sins on Jesus, 
The Spotless Lamb of God." 

Shortly before his decease he said to his parents, "I am go- 
ing soon to be with Jesus : but I sometimes fear that I may not 
see you there." 

'"Why so, my child?" said the weeping mother. 

"Because," he answered, "if you were set on going to heaven, 
you would pray about it, and sing about it, and talk to others about 
Jesus. All this my dear Sabbath School teacher taught me, and 
she will meet me there." The little eight year old boy did not 
know what a message from God had pierced their souls through 
his innocent words. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



m 



THE CHURCH. 

i. The Tabernacle. 1491 B. C. Moreover thou shalt make the 
tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twained linen, and blue, and 
purple and scarlet. Ex. 26:1.-2. The Temple, ion B. C. And 
it came to pass in the four hundredth and eightieth year after the 
children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth 
year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the 
second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 
6:1. — Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I 
am the Lord. Lev. 19 :3c — The first of the fruits of the land thou 
shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Ex. 23:19. — 3. 
The Church. A. D. 30. And I (Jesus) say unto thee, That thou 
art Peter, and upon this rock (me — Christ) I will build my church; 




and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt. 16:18. — 
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 
but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to 
behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the liv- 
ing God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:14, 15. — 
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized : and the 
same clay there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 
praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord 
added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2 141, 44, 
47. — That there should be no schism (division) in the body, but 
that the members should have the same care one for another. 1 
Cor. 12 125. — For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for 
^11 people. Isa. 56 :y. — And said unto them, It is written, My 



IV RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a 
den of thieves. Matt. 21 113. — Enter into his gates with thanksgiv- 
ing, and into his courts with praise : be thankful unto him, and 
bless his name. Ps. 100:4. — F° r second Temple restored, see 
Ezra ,1 and 3:1, 2; building suspended, Ezra chap. 4; resumed 
Ezra 4:24; finished, Ezra 6:13-15. Herod's temple, see Jno. 2: 
20, Mark 13 :i, 2, Matt. 24:1. 

At San Fernando, Pampanga Province. Methodist. 
This is the first wholly constructed Protestant Church, so 
far as the writer is informed for the Philipines to worship in . It 
is under construction here. The material used is bamboo, except 
the main upright (wood) posts. The roof is nipa, a species of 
palm leaf, made into a sort of a shingle, and is tied to the strips 
of bamboo with rattan from the underside. Seats with backs and 
the pulpit were also made of bamboo. The ceiling is made of fine 
bamboo mat and the outside is covered with the coarse mat. It 
will seat about four hundred persons. When people turn to God 
through the finished work of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to es- 
tablish the House of the Lord — the house of worship and prayer 
for them. Jesus came and died for sin. He gave us life, doc- 
trines and power, and went away, leaving the church in human 
hands. He left the world to the church and the church to the 
w T orld. The church at first was composed of only a few believers. 
He handed it over to them and went back to heaven and said to 
them, you must carry it on. Believers join in the ranks and work 
for the building up of God's Kingdom. That is your duty. Jesus 
depends upon you. The church will be just what the individual 
members make it — spirit-less or spirit-full, prayer-less or prayer- 
full, help-less or help-full. Which are you making it? >Read 2 
Cor. 6 — , special verse 20. 



ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS. 

"Is it a strong congregation?" asker a man, respecting a 
body of worshipers. 

"Yes," was the reply. 

"How many members are there?" 

"Seventy-six." 

"Seventy-six! Are they so very wealthy?" 

"No ; they are poor." 

"Why, then, do you say it is a strong church?" 

"Because," said the man questioned, "they are earnest, de- 
voted, at peace, loving each other and striving to do the Master's 
work. Such a congregation is strong whether composed of five 
or five hundred members." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 133 



FRUIT. 

I. The fruit or works of the unchristian. Now the works 
of the flesh are manifest, which are these : adultery, fornication, 
uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 
emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envyings, murders, 
drunkenness, revellings, and such like : of the which I tell you in 
time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the 
kingdom of God. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 
Matt. 7 :2p. — 2. The fruit of the Christian. But the fruit of the 
Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal. 5 : 19-23. 
— (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness 




and truth:) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Eph. 5:9, 
10. — Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away : and 
every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring 
forth more fruit. Jno. 15 :2. 

Christ cursed the fig tree, because it did not bear fruit. Matt, 
21 :i9. — The one principal idea running throughout the New Tes- 
tament is the fruit of the Christian life. This is a typical Japanese 
fruit store, and exhibits a variety of the native fruits. lEvery life 
is a storehouse, and in it the unrighteous one has stored up the 
works that are given in Gal. 5 : 19-21, and the righteous the splendid 
fruit that is given in Gal. 5 :22, 23. — This is what makes the Christ- 
ian life happy and contented. This is the blessed fruit of the Holy 
Spirit living and abiding in him. The worldly person cannot un- 
derstand this. They miss this part of life, and it is the real and 
enjoyable present portion. Read Jno. 15:1-15, special verse 10. 



134 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



LIBERTY CAP. 

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this 
is impossible : but with God all things are possible. Matt. 19:26. 
— For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1 137. — But 
without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to 
God must believe that he is, and that he is a re warder of them that 
diligently seek him. Heb. 1 1 :6, — But the natural man receivetli 
not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto 
him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually dis- 
cerned. 1 Cor. 2:14. — -For the preaching of the cross is to them 
that perish foolishness ; but unto us which are saved it is the power 
of God. 1 Cor. 1 :i8. 

The peculiar looking shaft is located near the Mammoth Hot 




w 0* 



Springs in the Yellowstone Park, and is called Liberty Cap. It 
is 52 feet high and 22 feet in diameter at the base. It has an ori- 
fice at the top, and the inference is, that it has been an active geyser 
or spring at one time. It stands there all alone, and no one seems- 
to understand its presence fully. However, it is there — a facr. 
People wonder and speculate over its strangeness, just like they do 
about the doctrines of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of Jesus, 
the Creation of man, Sin, and the New Birth, as Jesus taught Nico- 
dermis in the third chapter of St. John's gospel. But the only 
conclusion to arrive at, is, that what is impossible with man, is 
possible with God, and that he fully understands all of these things. 
They are for man to manfully accept and he may fully understand 
them some time. Not now, but in the coming years — perhaps in 
eternity. If we could see everything clearly now there would be 
no faith, therefore no honor to God. Jesus saith unto him, Thorn- 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



135 



as, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed are they 
that have not seen, and yet believed. Jno. 20:29. — Read Romans 
8:1-15 — , special verse 9. 



THE GOSPEL. 



And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is 
given unto me in heaven and in the earth. Go ye therefore, and 
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matt. 28:18, 19. — For 
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed .' 





f$B%f£sS'^Wmffl!P 






PWHHHMEP**fli ■HBB& •**» 






| ^ »i . 


* '„ 


*'" 




;■■■"'.'■ •■-V 



and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard ? and 
how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, 
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of 
them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
things. Rom. 10:13-15. — And they that be wise shall shine as 
the brightness of the firmament : and they that turn many to right- 
eousness as the stars for ever and ever. Dan. 12 13. — And this 
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a 
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matt 
24:14. 

A little village school in Japan. They now have 2900 public 
schools for the children. Bright little boys and girls these are. 
They can read, write and cipher, and appear to be happy. I looked 
at their faces, and noted the odd dresses and saw their sparkling 
black eyes, and the fancy way the girls made up their hair, but the 



136 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



thought came to me so forcibly, that they had a living soul to be 
saved, and yet not one of them- knew Jesus as their Savior. No 
one had been to that place to tell them. Who will say like Isaiah 
of old did, "Here am I: send me." Isa. 6:8. — If you can not. go, 
then you may help to send some one in your place. It is a great 
investment indeed to send the gospel to those who have not had 
the privilege of knowing about a Redeemer that loves them. Read 
Matt. 25:31-46. 



THREE POINTS OF CONTRAST. 

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which 
was lost. Luke 19:10. And they said, Believe on the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31. 

A Chinese Christian thus described the relative merits of 
Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity: "A man had fallen 
into a deep, dark pit, and lay in its miry bottom groaning and 
utterly unable to move. Confucius walked by, approached the 
edge of the pit, and said, 'Poor fellow, I am sorry for you : why 
were you such a fool as to get in there? Let me give you a 
piece of advice : if you ever get out, don't get in again.' T can't 
get out,' groaned the man. THAT IS CONFUCIANISM. 

A Buddhist priest next came by, and said, "Poor fellow, I am 
very much pained to see you there, I think if you could scramble 
up two-thirds of the way, or even half, I could reach you and lift 
3 r ou up the rest." But the man in the pit was entirely helpless 
and unable to rise. THAT IS BUDDHISM. 

Next the Savior came by, and, hearing his cries, went to the 
very brink of the pit, stretched down and laid hold of the man, 
brought him up, and said, "Go, sin no more." THAT IS CHRIS- 
TIANITY. 



YOUR DUTY. 

And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized 
shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 
16: 15, 16. 

A clergyman was once asked by the Duke of Wellington, 
"How are you getting on with the propagation of the gospel 
abroad? Is there any chance of the Hindoos becoming Chris- 
tians?" To which the clergyman replied, "Oh, no! I do not 
see anything doing there; I see no reason to suspect any work 
of the kind being successful." "Well," said the Duke, "What 
have you to do with that? What are your marching orders? 
Are they not, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel 
to every creature'? Do your duty, sir, and never mind results." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



1.37 



SERVICE. 

And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto 
the Lord, i Chron. 29 15. — With good will doing service, as to the 
Lord, and not to men. Eph. 6 \J. — Not slothful in business : fervent 
in spirit; serving the Lord. Rom. 12 :ii. — Serving the Lord with 
all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which 
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews. Acts 20:19. — I know 
thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, 
and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Rev. 2 119. 
■ — I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that 
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 
which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:1. 

The altitude of the Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming is nearly 




8000 feet. The beautiful sky blue water is hemmed in by the tall 
rugged mountains. The travelers oftentimes become weary of 
journeying by wagon on the dusty road, so this boat is ever ready 
to carry them from Thumb Bay in the southern part to the northern 
point of the lake. It is ready for service and brings blessings 
to many. The worldly people serve the world and 

its master in their fullness. Eph. 2:1. — The Christian will serve 
his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, with a joyful heart. God will 
turn the sacrifices and self-denials into blessings. "If you want to 
be miserable, think about yourself — about what you want, what you 
like, what respect people ought to pay to you, and what people 
think of you," so said Charles Kingsley. 



"I live for those who love me, 
For those who know me true, 
For the heaven that smiles above me, 



i3« 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



And awaits my spirit, too ; 

For the cause that lacks assistance, 

For the wrong that needs resistance, 

For the future in the distance, 

And the good that I can do." — Geo. L. Banks. 



SEEK ONE TO COME. 

Arise ye and depart ; for this is not your rest : because it is 
polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. Micah 
2:10. — For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to 
come. Heb. 13 114. — For he looketh for a city which hath founda- 
tions, whose builder and maker is God. But now they desire a bet- 
ter country, that is, an heavenly : wherefore God is not ashamed to 




be called their God : for he hath prepared for them a city. Heb. 
11 :io, 16. 

The Camp is a typical one of those who travel through the 
Yellowstone Park. Camping is permitted by the national govern- 
ment only one day at the same place, so it is always, move on. The 
unchristian is merely a wanderer. The Christian is traveling home- 
ward. This world is not the Christians real home. He is living 
here temporarily as a foreign citizen, having no continuing city to 
abide in. They are just sojourning here for the time being, wait- 
ing for that blessed hope of eternity with God. Saint Paul says, 
"Now we are Ambassadors' for Christ." 2 Cor. 5:20. — We know 
that the Ambassador resides in a foreign country, so we can say 
with the good poet : 

"My heavenly home is bright and fair : 
No pain nor death can enter there; 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



139 



Its glittering towers the sun outshine ; 
That heavenly mansion shall be mine.'" 

Read Psalm 126 — , special verse 6. 



DARKNESS TO LIGHT. 

A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow or 
death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness. Job 
10:22. — Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord 
come, who both will bring to light hidden things of darkness, and 
will make manifest the counsels of the heart : and then shall every 
man have praise of God. 1 Cor. 4:5. — Blessed be the Lord God 
of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. To give 




light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to 
guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1 :68, 79. — To open 
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from 
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness 
of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith 
that is in me. Acts 26:18. — And this is the condemnation, that 
light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than 
light, because their deeds were evil. Jno. 3:19. — But ye are a 
chosen generation (the Christian), a royal priesthood, an holy 
nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of 
him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 
1 Pet. 2 :g. — Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which 
thing is true in him and in you : because darkness is past, and the 
true light now shineth. 1 Jno. 2 :8. 

Africa is called the "dark continent" because of the teeming 
millions of black people (negroes) that inhabit it, and are living in 



140 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



the darkest kind of heathenism. Different governments of Europe 
have taken possession of most of the land, and are working to 
establish stable forms of government. The exhibit is that of 
German East Africa at the St. Louis Fair. It showed progress 
especially on agricultural lines. Notice the warrior chief (imi- 
tated) a relic of barbarism. Also the fine elephant tusks. The 
larger one is about nine feet in length. The Christian churches 
are carrying the Gospel (Good News) to these benighted people. 
Establishing schools, and planting the printing press for them, so 
they may have opportunities the same as other nations of the earth. 
How admirable the work! Many of the warrior chiefs are laying 
down their worldly warring weapons, and are accepting a dif- 
ferent weapon, the "Holy Bible." This brings them into a dif- 
ferent relation with their fellowmen. It brings love instead of 
the club. It gives life and light in place of darkness and super- 
stition. 

"Brother, for Christ's kingdom sighing, 

Help a little, help a little; 

Help to save the millions dying, 

Help just a little. 

O the wrongs that we may righten, 

O the hearts that we man lighten! 

O the skies that we may brighten! 

Helping just a little." 

Read Psalms 22 and 23. 



What is the use of religious profession if Jesus is out of it? 

We will have to fight the devil with the cradle, and get ten 
minutes ahead of him by bringing the children to Jesus in their 
early days. 

You may have the streets of gold and the walls of jasper, but 
that would not be Heaven for me if I hadn't Christ and those I love. 

I wonder whether, if Jesus Christ came to some of our churches 
where they are looking for a pastor, He would be invited to fill the 
vacant pulpit. 

St. Paul's Cathedral is nothing but a glorified quarry if Christ 
be out of it, and my old Gypsy tent is a cathedral when Christ is in 
it. Christ makes the temple. 

God can open the blind eye, or unstop the deaf ear, or paint 
a lily-bell, or form a dewdrop, or create the trill of the bird song, 
or open the gates of the morning without a creak of their hinges, or 
set an atom swinging in the sunshine with all its rhythm and poetry, 
as much as control the movement of a constellation; but He can 
save no man against his will. — Gipsy Smith. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



TRUST. 

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses : but we will re- 
member the name of the Lord our God. Ps. 20 7. — In thee, O 
Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be ashamed : deliver me in 
thy righteousness. Ps. 31:1. — Trust in the Lord, and do good; 
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Ps. 
37 13. — The righteous shall be glad in ±he Lord, and shall trust in 
him, and all the upright in heart shall glory. Ps. 64:10. — 
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him : but I will maintain 
mine own ways before him. Job. 13:15. — Thus saith the Lord; 
cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his 
arm, and whose heart is departed from the Lord. Blessed is the 
man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Jer. 




I 7 : 5» 7- — The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; 
and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum. 1 7. 

This train is a very interesting one indeed. It runs from 
Deadwood, South Dakota, whose altitude is 4539 feet and climbing 
up the mountains to the height of nearly 6425 feet and down the 
other side to Spearfish, which has an altitude of 3647 feet. The 
distance is about 15 miles air line, but the train goes about 45 
miles. It is a narrow gaug-e road, and it seemed to be nearly all 
curves (375 in thirty miles) about the mountains. The pitch is 
generally 100 feet to the mile and often 200 feet. One had to 
almost hold the breath, and surely his hat and his seat. At times 
I thought the engineer had gone mad. It was now upon the 
mountain top, and then down into the valley. At every curve one 
would wonder if the thing would jump the track, or run into the 
mountain ahead. In all my travels I never got into such a 



142 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



winding- mix-up as this experience. The inward and outward 
fears were tremendous for awhile. The conductor quieted our 
sensitive feelings by saying, "Don't fear! that engineer knows his 
business. He's the only man that has run this train since the 
road was built." How like the Christian life! Jesus is running 
the train of Eternal Life heavenward for his own people, and he 
is at the throttle. He commands them, "Follow me." He may 
carry them over some high and rough places, and down into 
many valleys, but he knows the way. It is necessary to trust to 
his wisdom, power, and skill to run the train through in safety. 
See how beautiful St. Paul expressed his confidence, "For I know 
whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep 
that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Tim. 
1 :I2. Read Psalm 90 — , special verse 17. 



This grace of silence under trial is one of the most rare and 
difficult graces ; but it is one of the most pleasing to God, and most 
conducive to strength and beauty of Christian character. 

None of us loves to suffer, and we all shudder at the sight of 
the probe or the amputating knife. But when the infinite Love is 
engaged in cutting out a selfish lust or cutting off a diseased limb, 
our duty is to submit. 

"Keep still, my friend," says the surgeon to the patient in the 
hospital; "for restlessness may produce false cuts and aggravate 
the process." 

If the brave fellow is wise, he will say, "Doctor, go as deep 
as you choose; only be sure to fetch out the bullet." 

Ah, the battlefield often requires less courage than the hospital ! 
The onset of service, with drum beating and bugles sounding, does 
not so test the mettle of our graces as to be thrown down wounded, 
or to be commanded to lie still and suffer. To shout a battle-cry 
at the mouth of the cannon is easier than to put our hands on our 
mouths and be silent because God did it. If he is silent as to ex- 
planations of trying providences, let us be silent in our filial sub- 
mission. God knows what is best for us — that is enough. — Theo- 
dore L. Cuyler, D. D. 



SURE FAITH. 



Thomas Carlyle, shortly before his death, said : "I am now an 
old man, and am done with the world. Looking around me, before 
and behind me, and weighing all as wisely as I can, it seems to me 
there is nothing solid to rest on but the faith which I learned in my 
■old home, and from my mother's lips." And there is nothing else. 
Modern substitutes for "the faith once for all delivered to the 
saints" are worthless. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 143 



THE WICKED. 

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way 
of the evil men. Prov. 4:14. — Many sorrows shall be to the 
wicked. Ps. 32:10. — For there shall be no reward to the evil 
man ; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. For their calamity 
shall rise suddenly, and who knoweth the ruin of them both? Prov. 
24:20, 22. — Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: 
on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou 
continue in his goodness: otherwise thou shalt be cut off. Rom. 
11:22. — For the time is come that judgment must begin at the 
house of God : and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of 
them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous 
scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 1 
Pet. 4:17, 18. — There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked. 




Isa. 57:21. — But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall 
he prolong his days, which are as a shadow ; because he f eareth 
not before God. Eccles. 8:13. — So shall it be at the end of the 
world : the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from 
among the just. Matt. 13:49. — Say unto them, As I live, saith 
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; that 
the wicked turn from his way and live. Ezek. 33 :n. — And death 
and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast 
into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14, *5- See Prov. 10:2, 7, 16, 20, 
24, 27, 28. — Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will 



144 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly 
pardon. Isa. 55 :j. 

The place out of which the steam is rising - , is in the Yellow 
stone Park, and is called "Heirs half-acre." It is a geyser (Ex- 
celsior) which has been so violent in its explosions, as to form a 
large pit, possibly thirty feet deep, and half an acre in extent. The 
water in it is always sizzling-, boiling, and madly gushing, as though 
the whole underworld was afire, and all was trying to escape at 
this one place. I walked around it with another man, who was 
just what we commonly call a morally good fellow, but had not 
given much serious thought about the future life. He said he did 
not belong to any Church, but managed to go once in a while for 
appearance sake, as a good many do. When we got about half way 
round it, he said, using his own venacular, "That's hell isn't it?" 
"No," I replied, "that is probably only a foretaste and warning of 
what is reserved for the wicked, who reject God's mercy, his love, 
and his redemption provided through Jesus Christ." The life of 
the wicked shall be shortened. Ps. 55 123. — Even the desire of the 
wicked shall perish. Ps. 112 :io. — He is not at peace with God at 
any time. His word has gone forth forever. It shall stand. No 
man can undo it. Hell is a very real place. God has not made 
anything for a sham. Good water and bad water do no live in 
the well at the same time, neither shall the righteous, and the un- 
righteous, in the future world. Every one is given a fair oppor- 
tunity in this world to prepare for eternity. God calls to you. 

"Make haste, O man, to live, 

For thou so soon must die ; 

Time hurries past thee like the breeze; 

How swift its moments fly! 

Make haste, O man, to live, 

Thy time is almost o'er ; 

O sleep not, dream not, but arise, 

The Judge is at the door !" 

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? . Heb. 
2:3. — Read 2 Kings 20:1-6, special verse 5. 



THE BRAKES. 
Out in the Rocky Mountains there was a stage driver who 
had driven down the mountain sides for forty years. He had 
lived a godless life. He came to the hour of death. His friends 
watching near him saw that he was grasping after something, it 
seemed in despair. They asked him, "Bill, what is the matter?" 
He exclaimed, "Boys, I am speeding down hill to hell and I can not 
find the brakes." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 145 



OUT OF THE LITTLE COMES THE GREATER. 

And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou 
hast done? And the woman said, The serpent (devil) beguiled me, 
and I did eat. And unto Adam he said> Because thou hast heark- 
ened unto the voice of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree, of which 
I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it : cursed is the 
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the clays of 
thy life. Gen. 3:13, 17. — Out of one act of disobedience has come 
the sin, sickness and sorrow in this world. 2. Out of the little 
covetousness, and one untruth, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha became 
a miserable leper. See 2 Kings 5 12022, 27. — 3. And immediate- 
ly the Lord smote him (Herod) because he gave not God the glory; 
and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12 123. — 




Out of the little selfish act of taking the glory, belonging to God, 
to himself, this king met his miserable doom. 4. But Peter said, 
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit ? 
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost. 
Acts 5 :3-5. — Out of one lie to God this man and his wife lost their 
lives. 5. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, 
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he : hold him fast. Matt. 26 :48. 
— Out of this deceitful kiss of Judas, came the betrayal of Jesus, 
the Savior of sinful men. -i. Behold, when we come into the land, 
thou shalt bind this scarlet thread in the window which thou didst 
let us down by : and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, 
and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. 
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, 
etc. Josh. 2:18, and 6:23. — Out of an act of kindness of this 
woman Rahab to God's people, she and her kindred were saved at 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



the destruction of Jericho. It is always better to be on God's side. 
2. Then went he (Naaman) down, and dipped himself seven times 
in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: (Elisha) 
and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he 
was clean. 2 Kings 6 114. — Out of simple obedience to God's word, 
this great man, a leper, received this marvellous blessing. 3. And 
Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? There remaineth 
yet the youngest, and he tendeth sheep. And he sent, and brought 
him in. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in 
the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon 
David from that day forward. 1 Sam. 16:11-13. — Out of this 
ruddy shepherd boy came the great King David. 4. And Moses 
made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, 
that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the ser- 
pent of brass, he lived. Num. 21 :g. — Out of a sincere look show- 
ing faith in God's power, life was saved. 5. She shall bring 
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save 
his people from their sins. Matt. 1 :2i. — Out of the little babe 
Jesus came the only hope for the Redemption of this world from 
Sin. 6. And he (the thief) said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me 
when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, 
Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. 
Luke 23 42,-43. — Out of sincere repentance, this thief was forgiven 
his sins, and made fit to enter into heaven. It was undoubtedly the 
first opportunity he had had to hear of Redemption through Jesus 
Christ. There is no excuse for a man to live all his life in sin, 
after he has heard the Gospel so often, and then at the very lasr 
moment ask God for forgiveness. 7. And Saul was consenting 
unto his (Stephen's) death. Acts 8:1. — I (Paul) am crucified 
with Christ : nevertheless I live : yet not I, but Christ liveth in me : 
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the 
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal. 2 :20. 
■ — Out of this Saul — the wicked ruffian persecutor of the Christians 
came that great noble-hearted christian life we commonly call Paul. 
These are Christian girls in the Mission School at Hakodate, 
Japan. They are spinning silk. A few of the cacoons are on the 
chair. Out of the mulberry leaf the little silk-worm makes its tiny 
fiber, and then weaves it into the little cacoon. The girls place 
the cacoons into a kettle of hot water, which loosens the fibers, and 
then they spin it onto the reel. From this silk they are making a 
large American flag for their school. So we see that out of the 
little leaf comes the beautiful flag. Out of the little things of life 
— whether good or evil, come the larger, either more debased and 
depraved without Christ unto eternal death, or more noble and 
beautiful with Christ unto life eternal. Yes, God can take our mis- 
erable, sinful lives and make them into new, hopeful, loving, obedi- 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 



147 



ent, and worshipping ones. Will we let him have a chance to do 
it ? Eph. 2 — , special verse 8. 



SHIPS. 

The Ark-ship of salvation. Gen. 6:13-22. — The ships of 
peace and good will — for commerce and passengers. Jonah 1 13, 
Isa. 60:9, Acts 21 13. — For ferriage. 2. Sam. 19:18. — For fishing. 
Luke 5 :y. — Life boats. Acts 27 :30~32. — Warships. Num. 24 : 
24. — Now there are diversities of gifts, but by the same Spirit. 
And there are differences of administration, but the same Lord. 
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which 
worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to 





every man to profit withal. 1 Cor. 12 '.4-7. — And God hath set 
some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly 
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, govern- 
ments, diversities of tongues. But covet earnestly the best gifts. 
1 Cor. 12 128-3 1. 

There are many kinds of ships in the world to-day made of 
wood and steel. All of them are built for definite purposes. The 
one is not intended to do the work of the other. These are models 
exhibited at the St. Louis Fair, of the Chinese ships. There is 
the little ship or boat for fishing, and is very unpretentious in ap- 
pearance, but it does its part in the work of life. Then there is the 
crafty little vessel that plies up and down the river, carrying its 
cargo and passengers from port to port. It just suits for that pur- 
pose. The ferry-boat runs between the ports on either side of the 



148 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



river. The weather, whether of rain or sunshine makes no differ- 
ence, for it is always at its place ready for the task assigned to it 
day by day. Sometimes its burden is very heavy, but does the work 
cheerfully when possibly it would have good ground for com- 
plaint. Then there is that playful little tug-boat which seems to 
have no regularly planned out daily work, but skips about over the 
water hither and thither, dodging around the larger craft, to keep 
from being run down, seeking for something to do. It finds a 
stranded vessel on the sand-bar, or an accident has happened to 
some other ship, or probably one of the big ships cannot push into 
port because the water is too shallow, then it is right at home to 
help in time of trouble. To be sure it does a lot of whistling, pul- 
ling, puffing, and twisting about, but it tugs away until it rescues 
the helpless one, and goes on its way rejoicing, looking for another 
opportunity to do good. Then there is also the coasting ship which 
travels from port to port along the coast. It is not large in com- 
parison with other ships, and it never ventures very far from the 
shore line for fear of the heavy storms of the sea, but it willing!} 7 
does its part in the battle of life. We can see spinning her way 
across the great ocean the ship of peace and good will — the Big 
Liner. She is long enough, wide enough and sets deep enough into 
the water to weather most any kind of a storm. She carries her 
burden of three thousand living souls, and twenty thousand tons 
of cargo. She could not do the work of the little river boat if she 
tried ever so hard. She is happy and contented ploughing her way 
through the mighty foaming and fretting waves. The ship of War 
spans the mighty deep to the four points of the compass. She goes 
on her journey around the world, saluting Kings and Emporers of 
many lands. She goes on her mission with authority to enforce 
and power to protect her rights in the event of danger from an 
enemy. She carries a great responsibility. God has a plan for 
every man in this life, and the thing necessary for him, is to enter 
into that plan. The first part of it is to serve Him. Matt. 22 137. 
— The second part is to serve his fellow-men. Matt. 22 139. — He 
makes his people spiritual ships, and each one has a definite work 
to do for His glory. The question is, What kind of a ship does 
He want me to be ? Even the little canoe is often a great blessing, 
but we must not be satisfied to be a canoe in life, when He would 
have us to be a fishing boat. We must not bend and twist our con- 
science to feel that we would rather be a coasting vessel, when He 
would have us to be an Ocean Liner or a Warship to carry heavy 
burdens for Him, and uphold His truth with power and love. Do 
not try to be a warship when He plans for you to be a canoe. 
Jesus says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. Jno. 
15:16. — Some people pray, Oh, to be nothing! It should be, Oh, 
to be something ! The canoe may look up and say, "I've done my 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 14Q 



best/' The Big Liner can only reply, "I've done my best." Read 
Isa. 6 — , special verse 8. 



MARKED AND SEALED. 

And the lord set a mark upon Cain, (the wicked) lest any 
rinding him would kill him. Gen 4:15. — And the Lord said unto 
him, (the prophet) go through the midst of the city, through the 
midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of them 
that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the 
midst thereof. Eze. 9 4. — That we should be to the praise of 
his glory who first trusted in Christ, in whom also after that ye 
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Eph. 1 : 
13. — Who< hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit 




in our hearts. 2 Cor. 1 :22. — And grieve not the holy Spirit of 
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. 4: 
30. — And Jesus, when he was baptized, went straightway out of 
the water : and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw 
the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him : 
and lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in 
whom I am well pleased. Matt. 3:16, 17. 

On railway cars you will always see a trade mark. When the 
car is loaded and the door closed, it is then sealed. One of the 
railway companies has adopted this curious shaped emblem for 
their trade mark. Curious Creek is a small stream running quiet- 
ly through Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Park. The windings at 
this place are strangely remarkable. As these companies mark 
and seal their cars so that they may know their property wherever 
it may be found, so God marks and seals people upon the earth. 



i;o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



He sets his mark upon the wicked and upon the righteous. He 
knows them by the special marks and seals that each one of them 
carry. He seals his Redeemed with his Holy Spirit. I give unto 
them eternal life. Jno. 16:28. — My peace, I give unto you. Jno. 
14 \2J. — That my joy might remain in you. Jno. 15 :i 1. — "If ye love 
me keep my commandments" says Jesus. Love to him and life, 
peace and joy from him are the peculiar marks of God's people. 
He that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 Jno. 2:17. — 
Read 1 Peter 2 — , special verse 17.- 



A PROUD FATHER. 

Twenty years ago a discouraged young doctor in one of our 
large cities was visited by his father, who came up from a rural 
district to look after his boy. 

"Well, son," he said, "how are you getting along?" 

"I'm not getting along at all," was the answer. "I'm not do- 
ing a thing." 

The old man's countenance fell, but he spoke of courage and 
patience and perseverance. Later in the day he went with his son 
to the "Free Dispensary," where the young man had an unsalaried 
position. 

The father sat by, a silent but intensely interested spectator, 
while twenty-five poor unfortunates received help. The doctor for- 
got his visitor while he bent his skilled energies to his task; but 
hardly had the doctor closed on the last patient when the old man 
burst forth : "I thought you told me that you were not doing any- 
thing! Not doing anything! Why, if I had helped twenty-five 
people in a month as much as you have in one morning I would 
thank God that my life counted for something." 

"There isn't any money in it, though," exclaimed the son, 
somewhat abashed." 

"Money!" the old man shouted, still scornfully. "What is 
money in comparison with being of use to your fellow-man? Never 
mind^the money; you go right along at this work every day. I'll 
go back to the farm, and gladly earn enough to support you as long 
as I live. 



A GREAT LOVE. 



"It takes great love to stir a human heart 

To live beyond the others and apart, , 

A love that is not shallow, is not small, 

Is not for one or two, but for them all. 

Love that can wound love for its higher need, 

Love that can leave love, though the heart may bleed." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



i;i 



THE WORLD. 

Again, the devil taketh him (Jesus) up into an exceedingly 
high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, 
and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will 
I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. St. Matt. 4: 
8, 9. — For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and 
lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
Matt. 16:26. — For after that in the wisdom of God the world by 
wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishmess of 
preaching to save them that believe. 1 Cor. 1 :2i. — Ye adulterers 
and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is 
enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the 
world is the enemy of God. Jas, 4:4. — And we know that we 
are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John 5 :icj. 




— Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
I John 2:15. — Men of the world, which have their portion in this 
world. Ps. 17:14. — The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto 
him, saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin 
of the world. John 1 :2c;. 

It seems somewhat strange that such a name as Deadwood 
should be given to a City. However, Deadwood, South Dakota, 
sets in, and fills up a valley with its hotels, stores, factories, and 
many of the homes are built upon the sides of the mountains. 
The mountain scenery surrounding it is beautiful, and taken all 
together, is picturesque. Much wealth is represented here, be- 
cause of the rich mines. As one would climb the mountain heights, 
it appeared to be a little world shut in to itself. Jesus was taken 



152 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



to the top of the mount, and was offered the world, if he would 
only fall down and worship the Satanic prince. Many are wil- 
ling to worship him for the benefits of this present world. While 
on the mountain top, and looking out over all its riches, the words 
of Jesus came to my -mind that, "What would it profit a man to 
gain all that this represents — the social life, money life, and polit- 
ical life, and lose his own soul?" These are all perishable things. 
One may gain all of them, and yet have a deep longing for some- 
thing that is still unsatisfied. Something more enduring, some- 
thing eternal : something that satisfies the hungering soul. Jesus 
said to the people, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me 
shall never hunger. Jno. 6:35. He is the true satisfying portion 
for the soul. God's love cannot dwell where the love of the world 
dwells. The one you desire most will push out the other in your 
life. Read Matt. 25:1-14, special verse 13. 



A man lost his footing and fell from the top story of a sky- 
scraper window. As he passed each story in his headlong flight 
he cried into the windows: "All right so far." But he hit the 
bottom, and he hit hard. That was the end. When a man lets 
go of God he begins to fall, as certainly as did the man in the sky- 
scraper, and he will hit the bottom just as surely, though he is a 
little longer on the trip, and it's going to hurt. When a youth 
begins to break away from home -influences, he is just slipping over 
the sill, and the precipice is ahead of him if he lets go. The end 
may be delayed, but it is there, and he'll hit the bottom and hit 
hard. When a girl becomes restive under the restraints of a lov- 
ing home, she is edging perilously near the sky-scraper window. 
When spiritual things begin to grow dim and this world looms up 
in undue proportions, and the voice of the Master is but faintly 
heard in the soul, a man is casting longing eyes toward that win- 
dow. He cannot see the end of the way any more than the man 
could see the bottom when he started to fall, but it was there, and 
he hit it. He may sail along smoothly, and for many a day his 
song may be, "All right so far" ; but he is falling, and will hit the 
bottom as surely as did the sky-scraper man. And he is going to 
get hurt. 

The only safe way is to keep your grip on God. 



The best of men and the most earnest workers will 
make enough of mistakes to keep them humble. Thank 
God for mistakes and take courage. Don't give up on 
account of mistakes. — Moodv. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



153 



THE WAY. 

Enter ye in at the strait gate : for wide is the gate, and broad 
is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which 
go in thereat : because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, 
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 
7:13, 14. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the 
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jno. 14:6. — 
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are 
the servants of the most high God, which shew us the way of 
salvation. Acts 16:17.— And he began to speak boldly in the 
synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they 
took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God 
more perfectly. Acts 18:26.— The way of the transgressor is 




hard. Prov. 13:15. — And many shall follow their own pernicious 
ways: by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following 
the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of 
unrighteousness; for it had been better for them not to have 
known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, 
to turn from the holy commandment (delivered unto them. 2 Pet. 
2:2, 15, 21. — Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in thy 
truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Ps. 86:11. — _ 

This is an instructive scene. With the ever increasing pop- 
ulation on our Pacific Coast, and the extension of commerce with 
the Eastern countries, our Government deemed it necessary to 
have coaling stations in Japan, whose ports were closed to the 
foreigner. In 1852 Commodore Perry in command of several 
warships, was sent to treat with the Sunrise nation. After some 



154 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



difficulty a treaty was concluded with them to open certain ports 
to the foreigner. The Government set apart certain portions of 
these ports (Cities) where the strangers should reside, separating 
them because of the feeling of antipathy against them by the 
natives. This is one of the busy streets of Yokohama. The 
narrow crescent shaped hill was the place designated for all the 
new-comers to live. Even now, there is still a noticeable preju- 
dice against the stranger in some parts, yet he is free to travel 
anywhere without being molested. It has been beautified, and is 
surely a delightful place to make a home. Here we have our Navy 
Hospital and Missionary Schools. The one hundred steps lead 
to the top of the bluff. This was quite an interesting place to me. 
I often thought that this represented the world. The narrow way 
up the hill represents the way of life. The people in the broad 
street are so busily engaged that hardly a thought is given to the 
all important question of Eternity. The words of Jesus made a 
deeper impression on my mind than ever before, when he said, 
Narrow is the way, and few there be that enter into life. Satan 
is the downward way. Jesus is the upward way. Which one 
have you chosen? Read Heb. 10 — , special verse 29. 



NEVER MIND. 



"Sometimes, when nothing goes just right, 

And worry reigns supreme, 
When heartache fills the eyes with mist, 

And all things useless seem, 
There's just one thing can drive away 

The tears that scald and blind — 
Someone to slip a strong arm 1 'round, 

And whisper, "Never mind." 

No one has ever told just why 

Those words such comfort bring, 
Nor why that whisper makes our cares 

Depart on hurried wing; 
Yet troubles say a quick "Good-day!" — 

We leave them far behind — 
When someone slips an arm around, 

And whispers, "Never mind." 

■ — Unknown. 



I was never happy till I gave up trying to be a great man, 
and was willing to be nobody. — Pay son. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



3> 



ALL SUFFICIENT. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, 
and all these things shall be added unto you. [Matt. 6 133. — But 
my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in 
glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19. — And God is able to make all 
grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in 
all things, may abound to every good work.- 2 Cor. 9:8. — I have 
been young, and now am old : yet have I not seen the righteous 
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Ps. 37 125. — Not that we 
are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but 
our sufficiency is of God. 2 Cor. 3 15. 

I call this man a Japanese walking restaurant. He carries 




quite a load. Note the round rice chest on the top. The rice is 
always kept warm and ready to serve. There seems to be a 
never-ending supply. The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness 
thereof. Ps. 24:1. — The children of God are those who have 
been reconciled to Him through the redeeming work of Jesus 
Christ. They seek God's kingdom first and receive from him 
the needful things of life; but the worldly man seeks the additions 
and leaves God out of the matter. What he gets from the world 
he will not be able to carry out of the world with him at the final 
settlement. So what shall he profit? Mark 8:36. God is fully- 
able to provide for his children their needs, but he does not 
promise to supply all they might want. Do you seek His king- 
dom, and do you receive from his bountiful store house the good 
things he has for you? What do you need? More faith, more 
love to God and your fellow-men, more patience, more courage,. 



156 RUBIES AXD DIAMONDS. 



more bread and butter? If you do, Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall 
receive; seek, and ye shall find." Matt. 7:7. Read Joshua 23 — , 
special verse 11. 



LOVE TO JESUS. 

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given 
himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling 
savour. Eph. 5 :2. — Who gave himself for our sins, that he might 
deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of 
God and our Father. Gal. 1 14. — One cold morning, in a street 
in London, a boy might have been seen ragged and miserable- look- 
ing. A gentleman passing was struck with his hungry appearance 
and abject look's ; and after a few questions had been asked and 
answered, the promise of food and shelter for the day induced the 
boy to consent to attend a ragged school not far off, though the 
condition that he should also learn was not so attractive to him. 
Poor fellow! he had never known a mother's love, and his father 
was a drunkard, and paid little heed to him. The story of Jesus 
and His love came to him as a new and wonderful thing. He had 
never heard it before. Gradually the light shone into his soul, 
and it was evident to all around that Willie was indeed one of 
Jesus' little ones. He had carried such a well-spring of happiness 
about with him, that even his miserable home seemed brighter. 
One evening he sat singing to himself — 

"I am glad that Jesus loves me!" 
"Stop that !" roared his father, and Willie was silent : but soon, 
with the forgetfulness of children, began again, "I am so glad." 
This time he was ordered to bed ;and though he went quietly enough 
the words kept singing in his head, "Jesus loves me," and he felt 
he could not be unhappy now that was true. In the middle of the 
night he was awakened by hearing his name called, "Willie," Wil- 
lie, sing that again." Could it be a dream? No, there sat his 
father beside his bed. So Willie sat up and sang the hymn." "Is 
it all true, Willie?" "Quite true, father; Jesus died for you and 
me, so he must love us." "Willie, could you pray for me?" "I 
don't know quite what to say, father." "Say I'm the biggest sin- 
ner on earth, but I want Jesus to love me and make me good." 
With his arms clasped round his father's neck, Willie prayed, "Lord 
Jesus, this is my father, and he says he has been very wicked. O 
Lord Jesus, make him fit to live with thee in heaven, and teach 
him to love Thee." Little Willie's prayer was answered. His 
father got forgiveness and peace and joy he now so earnestly 
sought. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



THE DAILY SPIN. 

I will make him an help meet for him. Gen. 2 : 18. — She 
layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff. 
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and 
purple. Prov. 31 : 19,22. "A cheerful temper, joined with inno- 
cence, will make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful, and wit 
good natured. It will lighten sickness and affliction," said Addison. 

"Spin cheerfully, not tearfully, 

Though wearily you plod; 
Spin carefully, spin prayerfully, 

But leave the thread with God. 




Japanese woman at her daily task in her home. 



The shuttles of His purpose move 
To carry out His own design, 

Seek not too soon to disapprove 
His work, nor yet assign 

Dark motives, when, with silent dread, 
For lo ! within each darker thread 

There twines a thread of gold. 

Spin cheerfully, not tearfully, 
He knoweth the way you plod; 

Spin carefully, spin prayerfully, 
But leave the thread with God." 

Read Galatians 3 — , special verse 24. 



isS 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



LITTLE THINGS. 

For who hath despised the day of small things? Zech. 4:10. 
— For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept: line 
upon line, line upon line : here a little, and there a little. Isa. 28 : 
ic. — A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of 
many wicked. Ps. 37:16. — And whosoever shall give to drink 
unto one of the least of these little ones a cup of cold water only 
in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise 
lose his reward. Matt. 10:42. 

A Persian Proverb says, "Do little things now : so shall big 
things come to thee by and by, asking to be done." He who waits 
to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything, so said 




Dr. Johnson. |Life is made up of little things. It is very seldom 
that an occasion is offered to one for doing a great deal at one time. 
One drop of water helps to swell the ocean. It is the single grains 
that make the heap. Seconds make the hour. From the little 
acorn planted in the ground comes the great oak tree. This is the 
-way the Japanese sprinkle the streets. The King by a word may 
move armies or save the life of a condemned man, but this man in 
his humble way brings blessings to thousands of people. If God 
gives us little tasks, let us be content to do the little. Read 2 Tim. 
2 — , special verse 19, 



I don't believe that the way to make a man love heaven is 
to disgust him with earth. Let us love all that is bright and beau- 

Beecher. 



tiful and good in this world 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 159 



SOWING. 

Behold, a sower went forth to sow. Matt. 13 13. — Thou shalt 
not sow thy seed with migled seed. Lev. 19:19. — Then I will give 
you rain in clue season, and the land shall yield her increase, and 
the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Lev. 26 '.4. — Be not 
deceived : God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that 
shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7. — Sow to yourselves in righteousness, 
reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground : for it is time to 
seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 
10:12. 

All through the Bible we find that the Holy Spirit through 
his writers uses the natural common place things of life to set be- 




fore man certain things. Jesus also said, "The sower went forth 
to sow." This will appeal to the mind of man at once, for we 
see it in actual practice every year. This man lives in northern 
Minnesota. He is sowing oats. He will harvest, thirty, sixty, and 
maybe an hundred fold. Matt. 13 123. I opened the seed box, and 
said to the farmer, "You are sowing a lot of wild oats, too." "Yes," 
he replied. "I didn't have time to separate it, and I expect we will 
get more of that than anything else at harvest time." The wilful 
sower of folly! This wild oats is very pernicious and perserving. 
It is sown. It grows, and chokes out the good. Then the farmer 
becomes angry with it, because it has treated him so meanly. He 
says, "I will destroy it. I will plow it under so deep that it cannot 
possibly grow." He does so. The wild seeds laugh at him and 



i6o RUBIES AXD DIAMONDS. 



say, "We will just rest until he plows again." He keeps them un- 
der a year, or probably five years or more. "Now," he says to 
himself, "I reckon it will be safe to plow that field. He plows and 
sows again, but that bad seed is now turned to light, so it grows, 
too. One morning he goes out to inspect his crop, and finds this 
wild oats several inches taller than the good oats, stealing the 
nutriment from the ground which the good needs for its supply. 
He is pained by the sight of it. He suffers the consequences of 
his own folly of the first sowing. Other seeds would rot, but this 
does not. So it is in life. (The heart is the seed-box, and we will 
sow whatever it has in it. Sower Divine, plow up and fill this 
heart of mine. If we wilfully sow wild oats — meanness, hatred, 
cruelty, and dishonesty to man, and disobedience to God and his 
laws, we shall suffer therefrom. But if we sow the good — kind- 
ness, love, and honesty to man, and obedience to God, we shall 
receive accordingly the good. 

"We are sowing, ever sowing, 
In the paths where others move, 
And the harvest that shall follow, 
Shall a bane or blessing prove ; 
Are we sowing thorns and thistles, 
That shall pierce the traveler's feet, 
Or the seeds of love and mercy 
That shall make existence sweet?" 

Read Matt. 5:13-20. special verse 20. 



WOMAN'S LOOKS. 

Someone once asked a woman how it was she kept her youth 
so wonderfully. Her hair was snowy white, she was eighty years 
old, and her energy was waning ; but she never impressed one with 
the idea of age, for her heart was still voung in sympathy and in- 
terests. And this was her answer: "I knew how to forget dis- 
agreeable things. I tried to master the art of saying pleasant things. 
I did not expect too much of my friends. I kept my nerves well 
in hand, and did not allow them to bore other people, I tried to find 
any work that came to hand congenial. J I retained the illusions 
of my youth, and did not believe 'every man a liar,' and every woman 
spiteful. I did my best to relieve the misery I came in contact with, 
and sympathized with the suffering. In fact, I tried to do to> others 
as I would be done by, and you see me in consequence reaping the 
fruits of happiness, and a peaceful old age." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



161 



REAPING. 

And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the 
vintage shall reach unto the sowing time : and ye shall eat your 
bread to full, and dwell in your land safely. Lev. 26:5. — He 
that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger 
shall fail. Prov. 22 :8. — For they have sown the wind, and they 
shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no 
meal ; if so be it, the stranger shall swallow it up. Hosea. 8 \j. — ■ 
Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity, ye have 
eaten the fruit of lies : because thou didst trust in thy way, in the 
multitude of thy mighty men. Hosea 10:13. — And he that 
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal : that 




both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 
Jno. 4:36. — But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap 
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall- reap also 
bountifully. 2 Cor. 9:6. 

There is the sowing, reaping and threshing time. In some 
places reaping and threshing are done at the same time, so we will 
put them together to mean the same here. Here they are thresh- 
ing. If the farmer desires to reap good grain he must sow good 
grain. If he should sow wild oats or other bad seed with it, he 
will reap accordingly. The wicked hearted people naturally sow 
in this world wicked deeds, and acts, and will consequently reap 
a full harvest of their own folly and wickedness at the end of time. 
The Christian will faithfully endeavor to sow things of heaven, 
so that he may reap heaven with all its blessings. What will 
you reap? Read Matt. 6:19-33, special verse 33. 



i6? RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



RECONCILIATION. 

Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God 
through our Lord Jesus Christ : For if when we were enemies, we 
were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being 
reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom. 5:1, 10. — And all 
things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus 
Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 
5:18. — Having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the law of 
commandments contained in ordinances : for to make in himself of 
twain one new man, so making peace : and that he (Jesus) might rec- 
oncile both unto God in one body by the cross having slain the en- 
mity thereof. Eph. 2 115, 16. — And, having made peace through the 
blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself : by 
him I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 
Col. 1 :20. — Wherefore in all things it behoved him (Jesus) to be 
made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faith- 
ful hight priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation 
for the sins of the people. Heb. 2:17. 

It was in the country and in the same community in which I 
lived, that an elderly lady died. She had a large family- of chil- 
dren and many relatives. The most of them had been citizens of 
the community the greater part of their lives, and prospered. But 
somehow the children fell to quarrelling about money matters, until 
relations became so strained among them that one-half would not 
speak to the other half. It was heart-breaking to the parents to 
undergo such trials, and hastened both of them to their graves. 
One day the physician told the mother that she only had a few 
hours to remain in this earthly tabernacle. She sent for all her 
children. They gathered in her room. It was a heart-searching 
time for all. There was no time for beautifully colored words. 
She began to whisper each of their names, and they gathered about 
her bed, and she had them to place their right hands together over 
her dying body. Apologies and forgivenesses flowed in streams 
from hearts to hearts, and were expressed in tears. Malice and 
envy took their flight. Every heart was melted- and friendship 
restored. What the mother could not do in life, she accomplished 
in her death. They were reconciled. What Jesus could not do in 
his life, he did do in his death upon the Cross. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



163 



CARELESS. 
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on 
horses", and trust in chariots, because they are many ; and in horse- 
men, because they are strong ; but they look not unto the Holy One 
of Israel, neither seek the Lord. Isa. 31:1. — They have not set 
God before them. Ps. 54:13. — And they consider not in their 
hearts that I (God) remember all their wickedness: now their own 
doings have beset them about; they are before my face. Hosea. 
7:12. — Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but 
trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in 
his wickedness. Ps. 52 :y. — There is a way which seemeth right 
unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. 14: 
12. — Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a 




day may bring forth. Prov. 27:1. — Having the understanding 
darkened, being alienated from the life of God through ignorance 
that is in them, because of the blindness of the heart. Eph. 4:18. 
— For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life. Jno. 3:16. 

This is just the way some are going through this world. The 
cowboys are represented doing a town. It is a scene of statuary 
work in the main plaza of the Portland Fair. The beautiful bed 
of flowers right in front of them. It seems that the very next 
leap of the horses will be right onto that lovely spot. So do many 
trample on God's wonderful love in the journey through this life. 
The wise man counseled us with very strong words when he says, 
"He that being often reproved and hardeneth his neck (refusing 



1 64 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



counsel) shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy. 
Prov. 29:1. Think of it, without any remedy thereafter. Read 
Ex. 8:16-32, and 10:1. 



AN IMPOSSIBLE EFFORT. 

A young man who died some years ago uttered this last 
vain request: "Give me back my influence." When John Newton 
was on board "The Harwich," he led a young man into infidelity. 
Years after he was converted, he tried to unto the wrong he 
had done, but without success. His mis-spent influence was gone 
forever, and its fruits were past recall. Many a Christian would 
revise the influence of his early years, but finds in the summing up 
that what he has written is written indelibly, that he cannot make 
amends. 



THE BOY THAT DEWEY PRAISED. 

The following story of Admiral Dewey is told by one of the 
sailors who returned on the Raleigh : Just before the battle of 
Manila, when the order was given to strip for action, the smallest 
powder-boy on the flagship accidently dropped his coat overboard. 
He ''asked permission to jump after it, but was refused. He went 
to the side of the ship, dropped overboard, recovered his coat, 
and was promptly arrested for disobedience. Admiral Dewey 
spoke kindly to the youngster, who broke down and said that the 
coat contained his mother's picture, which he had just kissed, and 
he could not bear to see it lost. Dewey's eyes filled with tears ; 
he fairly' embraced the boy and ordered him released, saying, 
"Boys who love their mothers enough to risk their lives for her 
picture cannot be kept in irons on this fleet." 



AN HONOR. 



The Philadelphia Ledger says that J. Sterling Morton, Presi- 
dent Cleveland's secretary of agriculture, had inscribed on his de- 
ceased wife's tombstone the following: "Caroline French, Wife of 
J. Sterling Morton, and Mother of Joy, Paul, and Mark Morton." 
He then took the lads to the cemetery, showed them the inscription, 
and said : "If one of you ever does anything dishonorable, or of 
which your mother would be ashamed, were she alive, I will chisel 
your name from this tombstone." It adds that all the names are 
still there. It seems like an odd bit of parental exhortation, but 
it is striking enough to make an impression on any boy. — S. S. 
Journal. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



165 



GRINDING. 

And the people went about, and gathered it, (the manna) 
and ground it in the mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in 
pans, and made cakes of it :and the taste of it was as the taste -of 
fresh oil. Num. 11 :i8. — But the Philistines took him, (Sampson), 
and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound 
him with fetters of brass : and he did grind in the prison house. 
Judges 16:21. — Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one 
shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore : for ye know 
not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt. 24:41, 42. 

In the' first verse the Israelites were wandering in the wilder- 
ness on their journey to their promised land. They had not time 




to sow and reap, but God's great goodness was shown to them 
by handing down every day his manna for their use, and it had 
to be prepared by grinding and baking. It is the Divine plan that 
man shall bestow labor upon whatever he receives honestly in this 
world. A notable man once said that, "The fruit derived from 
labor is the sweetest of all pleasures." In the second verse we see 
Sampson, the man of marvelous strength, fail, and he had to grind 
for his enemies, because he was careless and indifferent to the 
temptations that were seeking his ruin. This labor was not sweet- 
ness to him. Sin makes people grind whether they desire to do so 
or no. Do not our lives become dreary, dull and heavy at times? 
It may seem that life is hardly worth living. It is just grind and 



166 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



grind away every day at the same things. These two Japanese 
are grinding rice. It is round, round and round. What an ordeal ! 
It is very needful for them. After the storm, the calm. Behind 
the black cloud is the beautiful sunshine. But with all the trivial 
annoyances, and the big and little difficulties set before us in our 
every day life, still after the day's toilings and grindings are 
over, are there not many blessings coming out of it, which so richly 
repay, that we would not miss them for all the grind? Count 
your many blessings, and name them one by one. The third verse 
(primarily refers to Christy's second coming) teaches us that some 
day this daily earthly grinding at the mill shall end — for the 
Christian shall be taken up to live with Christ in heaven or to be 
with Him at His coming to the earth again to set up His kingdom. 
Where Jesus is 'tis heaven you know. Read I Cor. 15 141-58, spec- 
ial verse 54. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF CONTENT. 

It is said that Diogenes was once noticed viewing the show 
windows of the streets of Athens, and, on being asked what he 
saw that interested him so much, replied that he was just re- 
joiced to see that there were so many things for sale which he 
did not need. The eccentric Stoic Philosopher was in possession 
of the secret of a contented life, as well as of the secret of economy 
and wealth. 



Let us take Dr. Edward Everett Hale's shrewd advice. He 
says, "Never bear more than one kind of trouble at a time. Some 
bear three — all they have had — all they have now, and all they 
expect to have." 



PASS ON THE SUNSHINE. 

"If you have sunshine in your heart, 

,Don't keep it — pass it round, 
To those who need it, give a part, 

Don't keep it — pass it round. 
It wasn't made alone for you, 
It's yours, of course, but still it's true 
It's meant for other people, too. 
Don't keep it — pass it round." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



167 



MANY CARES. 

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, 
and the lusts of other things entering- in, choke the word, and it 
becometh unfruitful. Mark. 4:19. — And take heed to yourselves, 
lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and 
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come upon you 
unawares. Luke 21:34. — But Martha was cumbered about much 
serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that 
my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she 
help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, 
thou art careful and troubled about many things : but one thing is 
needful : and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be 




taken away from her. Luke 10 140-42. — Casting all your care 
upon him ; for he careth for you. 1 Pet. 5 :y. 

Shakespeare says : "Care is no cure, but rather a corrosive for 
things that are not to be remedied." The modern commercialism 
has so gotten hold of men and women that they have almost gone 
mad. Unrighteous competition and rivalry in every thing and for 
everything. A man getting forty dollars per month is trying to 
live like the man receiving one hundred dollars, and so on. The 
biggest house, the finest furniture, the richest wardrobe to display — 
in fact, God has a very small part in it if any at all. The desolate 
hearts made in this way in this wide world if they could be dis- 
covered ! There is something beautiful and attractive in the Jap- 
anese home. I presume it is because of its very simplicity. Their 



1 68 RUBIES AXD DIAMONDS. 



customs are different from ours, and we could not do exactly as 
they do. For instance, they sit in a kneeling posture, as is seen in 
other pictures. They have fine straw mat floors so that chairs can- 
not be used. The mats are soft and spongy so that no shoes can 
be worn in the house, therefore no dirt is carried in in this way. 
The little table (which is a luxury) is used in the day time and at 
night is taken out and the mattress is placed on the floor for the 
bed, and in the morning this is removed again. The worldly cares 
choke out the real and true happiness of life. I believe Jesus 
thought the home of Martha and Mary was quite ideal. He loved 
to be there. It was the home of the young man Lazarus whom he 
tenderly loved. They were both actively engaged in the enter- 
tainment of their famous guest, but in different ways. Somehow 
this day Martha became over-anxious about too many things about 
the house, while Mary was intensely interested with the wonderful 
teachings of her Lord and Master. I presume they were talking 
about the things of this present world and of eternity, for it seems 
that God had taken away the father and mother : about the home 
that Jesus was going to prepare for them. Jno. 14:1-2. — That it 
would be far superior to their present one, though it was undoubt- 
edly a splendid home. Martha was thinking about TIME and 
Mary about ETERNITY. It is needful for us to be anxious, but 
nor over-anxious. This over part of it belongs to the Lord, and he 
wants us to cast it upon him. He is able to take care of it. Why 
not let him do it? Martha did quite well in her serving, but Mary 
seems to have chosen the better part. It is always better to spend 
a little more time with the Lord Jesus than too much upon the 
vain, frivolous and unsatisfying things of this present life. Cares 
will burden us down, but I hear the voice of Jesus say, "Come un- 
to me, and I will give you rest." Read 2 Thes. 3 — , special verse 
6. 



A STMPLE CURE. 

It is said that John Wesley was once walking with a brother, 
who related to him his troubles, saying he did not know what he 
should do. They were at that moment passing a stone Avail to a 
meadow, over which a cow was looking. 

"Do you know," asked Wesley, "why that cow looks over 
that wall?" 

"No," replied the one in trouble. 

"I will tell you," said Wesley. "Because she cannot look 
through it ; and that is what you must do with your troubles — look 
over and above them." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



169 



LETTERS. 

jBut these ate written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the 
Christ, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through 
his name. John 20:31. — And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the 
word of exhortation : For I have written a letter unto you in 
few words. Heb. 13:22. — By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto 
you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying 




that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 1 Peter 5:12. 
— I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the 
holy brethren. 1 Thes. 5 \2J. — -All scripture is given by inspira- 
tion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- 
tion, for instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may 
be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3 : 
16, 17. 

God's love letters to you. What a pleasant thought it is, that 
the great Lord of heaven should condescend to look upon man at 
all- (But the fact is, he has, and does. He has made known his 



i;o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ways unto men. Have you ever received loving letters from home, 
father, mother, sister, etc ? Did they stir up the very spirit within 
you? Did you read them, then re-read them? The Japanese 
woman is writing a letter. She uses a pointed stick for a pen. The 
paper is soft and porous, so that a pen could not be used. I 
wonder if the one to whom she may be writing would read it? It 
would be very ungrateful not to do so I hear you say. God has 
sent letters to all of us, setting forth his love, compassion, and 
warnings. They were written for our special benefit. Do we slight 
them? Do we even look at them at all? Take your Bible and 
begin now, to read his letters by St. Paul named the Ephesians. 
Then the two called Corinthians. Then the letters entitled St. 
John. You will find many interesting things in the letters called 
St. Peter, Jude, and James. Then you will want to read the 
famous letters to the Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Colossians, 
and the two to Timothy. Read and study them several times, and 
I know your life will receive many new ideas and blessings. Read 
Luke 17:11-19, special verse 15. 



COURAGE. 



Sir Francis Drake, being in a dangerous storm in the Thames, 
\vas heard to say, "Must I, who have escaped the rage of the 
ocean, be drowned in a ditch !" Will you, experienced saints, who 
have passed through a world of tribulation lie down and die of 
despair, or give up your profession because you are at present pas- 
sing through some light affliction? Let your past preservation in- 
spire you with courage and constrain you to brave all storms for 
Jesus' sake. 



IMPRESSING A LESSON. 

An old minister, very eccentric and accustomed to impress 
spiritual lessons in unique and unexpected ways, one day entered 
the shop of a member of his church without knocking or ringing 
the bell, and inquired before he had made any salutation, "Did 
you expect me?" "No," was the astonished reply. "What if I 
had been Death?" he solemnly asked, then stepped out as abruptly 
as he had come, and was gone before his parishioner could make 
any answer. It made a tremendous impression upon the man, 
and brought to his mind a new emphasis, such as he had never 
realized before, on the Savior's words, "Be ye also read} 7 : for in an 
hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



171 



A MARVEL. 

For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land 
of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and 
hills. Deut. 8 \J. — I will open rivers in high places, and fountains 
in the midst of the valleys : I will make the wilderness a pool of 
water, and the dry lands springs of water. 41 :i8. — For the Lamb 
which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead 
them unto living fountains of water. Rev. 7:17. — Behold I will 
stand before thee (Moses) there upon the rock of Horeb; and thou 
shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the 
people may drink. Ex. 17:6. 

There are many strange things in nature in this world in which 




we live. When God said, Let there be light, light came. He 
spoke, and it was done. The Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, the 
Wind Cave in South Dakota, and the Grand Canon and the Geysers 
in the Yellowstone Park are marvellous instances. The geologists 
have failed to fathom the true cause of their existence. If one has 
any ambition to live in dreamland, which many are prone to do, he 
would surely be awakened into a lively realization that something 
is going on, while he is in the midst of the many wonderful Gey- 
sers and Hot Springs in the Park. This Geyser is called the Bee- 
hive, because its crater resembles the hive. It is four feet high, 
and seven feet in diameter at the base. As one looked at the colos- 
sal shaft of water and steam being hurled 200 feet into the air, by 



172 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



such a tremendous unseeable force, he would be almost overpowered 
by its beauty and immensity. So hot is the water that it nearly all 
evaporates while in the air. Five minutes passes, and still you 
stand and marvel at it, a couple minutes more go by, and then all 
at once it subsides — collapses. You see only the crater now and 
walk up to it, and wonder where it has all gone. There is nothing 
to be seen, and only a rumbling and a hissing noise to be heard in 
its dark depths below. 'It may speak forth several times during the 
day, and probably not for several weeks. It is quite uncertain, 
irregular and spurty in its working life. Life is very frequently 
like this. Especially do we find this the case in the religious life, 
serving the Lord just when we feel like it. A spurty christian life 
never receives the blessings needed to make it a true success, 
God does not have time to get hold of such life. This injures one's 
own spiritual growth, though it be ever so beautiful for a while. 
Saint Paul exhorts us to "Rejoice always," and "Pray without ceas- 
ing." That is, be regular and consistent, and then the life will be 
a spiritual fountain which will be receiving from the eternal foun- 
tain, and will grow and be victorious. Read Matt. 25:14-30, 
special verse 23. 



LET THE LIGHT IN. 

The Rev. John Watson, writing on the question, "What Should 
a Christian Read ?" assures us that Christ did not come "to cramp" 
anyone's manhood ; He came to fulfill it. 

"What ought a Christian to read? Every book that feeds the 
intellect. Where ought he to go? Every place where the moral 
atmosphere is pure and bracing. What ought he to do? Every- 
thing that will make character. Religion is not negative, a giving 
up this or that ; but positive, a getting and a possessing. If a man 
will be content with nothing but the best thought, best work, best 
friends, best environment, he need not trouble about avoiding the 
worst. The good drives out the bad. There are two ways of 
lighting a dark room — one is to attack the darkness with candles; 
the other is to open the shutters and let in the light. 

"When light comes, darkness goes. There are two ways of 
forming character. One is to conquer our sins ; the other is to cul- 
tivate the opposite virtues. The latter plan is the best, because it is 
surest — the virtue replaces the sin. Christianity it not a drill ; it is 
life, full, free, radiant and rejoicing. What a young man should 
do is, not vex himself about his imperfections, but fix his mind on 
the bright image of perfection ; not weary his soul with rules, but 
live with Christ as one liveth with a friend. There is one way to 
complete manhood, and that is fellowship with Jesus Christ." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 1/3 



HUMILITY AND CONTENTMENT. 

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Matt. 23:12. — Likewise, 
ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be 
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility : for God 
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Pet. 5 15. 
— And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant (Solo- 
mon) king instead of David my father : and I am but a little 
child: I know not how to go out or come in. 1 Kings 3 :J. — Not 
that I speak in respect of want : for I have learned, in whatever 
state I am, therewith to be content. Phil. 4:11. — But godliness 
with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this 
world, and it is certain we carry nothing out. And having food 




and raiment let us be therewith content. I Tim. 6 :6-8. — And let 
us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, 
if we faint not. Gal. 6 :g. 

My young guide to foot of Lower Falls, Yellowstone Park. 
Always at it. Quite a contrast to the former lesson. This 
is a geyser also, giving out the hot water and steam. Very few 
people ever see it. It is apparently insignificant, as to size. It 
has never been deemed worthy of a name. I crawled down the 
side of the canon to the Yellowstone River and happened to run 
onto the Little Wonder. It is quite close to the Falls, within a 
few feet of the river. Probably it has been there for centuries. 
It neither complains nor apologizes for being so little. Neither 
does it throw out much steam and water at a time, but it is al- 
ways and ever at it. Contentment seems to be written upon its 
very face. We must have godliness first, then contentment and 



174 RUBIES AXD DIAMONDS. 



happiness will be written upon our lives. Be all that God wants 
you to be, and do what is in your power to do. The humble mind 
and heart will do all the good possible in this world without ex- 
pecting a great name or the applause of the world. Read Acts 7 : 
51-60. 



THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

The Holy Spirit is a spiritual person, and not an influence as 
many falsely believe. 

1. What he does for the unconverted man. 

(a) And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive 
with man. Gen. 6:3. — And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, 
he will convict (convince) the world of sin, of righteousness, and 
of judgment. Jno. 16:8. — He strives with and convinces man. 

(b) Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot 
enter into the kingdom of God. Jno. 3 15. — He regenerates or 
makes man anew. 

(c) Jesus said, It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh 
profiteth nothing : the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, 
and they are life. Jno. 6:63. — And you hath he quickened who 
were dead in trespasses and sins. Eph. 2:1. — He quickens the 
life. 

2. He dwells with the converted person. 

Even the Spirit of truth ; whom the world cannot receive, be- 
cause it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye know him : for 
he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Jno. 14:17. 1 Jno. 

2 \2J. 

3. He helps, teaches, and brings to our remembrance. 
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father 

will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all 
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I (Jesus) have said unto 
you. Jno. 14 '.26. 

, 4. He guides into all truth. 

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide 
you into all truth. Jno. 16:13. 

5. What the unconverted do. 

Ye do always resist the Holy Spirit. Acts 7:51. Heb. 3: 
15, 19. — Resisting the Holy Spirit makes rank infidels. Be care- 
ful to listen to the voice of God as he speaks and works through 
the Holy Spirit. 

6. What the Christian does. 

.Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto 
the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30. — Quench not the (Holy) 
Spirit. 1 Thes. 5:19. — The Christian grieves the Holy Spirit 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



175 



He comes to live with him while here on earth. He becomes 
grieved by our wilfully disobeying the laws of God. A continu- 
ance of this kind of life will drive the Spirit away and this is called 
quenching the Spirit. This is what makes backsliders and often- 
times the infidel. 



ALL NATIONS. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people 
whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Ps. 33:12. — Come 
near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people; let the earth 
hear, and all that is therein. Isa. 34:1. — Behold, thou shalt call 
a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee 
shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God. Isa. 55:5. — 




Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, 
and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be con- 
verted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 
Isa. 60:5. — And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to 
dwell on the face of the earth. Acts 17:26. — Let all the nations 
be gathered together, and let the people be assembled. Isa. 43 :g. 
— Then Peter said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter 
of persons : but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh 
righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:34, 35. — And they 
sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and 
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed 
us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and peo- 
ple, and nation. iRev. 5 :g. 

It was inspiring indeed to see the many states of the union re- 



J 176 RUBIES AND 



presented at the great St. Louis Fair ; but how much more the many 
nations of the earth. Here we see the beautiful government build- 
ing of China, representing Orientalism. The pagoda to the left, 
and the gate or entrance with its artistically hand carved wood- 
work in the front, and all painted in brilliant colors. The Brazi- 
lian building is just back, of it, (you see only the white dome,) 
representing South America. And the Belgium building is at the 
right, a representative of Europe. All planted on the free soil 
of our own beloved North America. All people are made of one 
blood to dwell together on the face of the earth. In former times 
the nations had been living to themselves, but they are now culti- 
vating a closer friendship. Somehow the Gospel of Jesus Christ 
brings people to a better understanding with each other. God calls 
all to righteousness now, and will gather the Redeemed of all the 
nations in that great day in which he shall judge them. Then, sin, 
sickness, sorrow, and death shall be put away forever. What a 
gathering that will be! What a happy day! Isaiah 55 — , special 
verse 7. 



In the days of the cruel Inquisition a girl, who refused to 
bow to the priest, was being carried out to be shot. She was 
made to sit upon her own coffin. Just before the place was reached 
where she was to give up her life for her faith, a man rushed up 
and said, "What will it take to buy the life of that girl?" An 
enormous price of money was stated, and the man quickly said, 
"I will pay the price." It was done. The girl was taken down and 
given her liberty. 

What was the first thing she did? She crouched at her 
savior's feet, and, lifting her hands, said, "Oh, sir, let me be your 
slave. I would love to serve a man as good as you." 

This is a faint reflection of Jesus ; it is very faint, indeed, but 
nevertheless it gives us a hint of Him. When the devil had us 
on the way to hell, Jesus came and purchased our freedom. He 
did not purchase it with money. Oh, no. Money could not buy 
it; He purchased it with His own blood shed upon the cross. 



THE POWER WILL BE GIVEN. 

When Cyrus captured Sardis, the only son of Croesus, who 
was dumb, saw a soldier ready to give the king, whom he did not 
know, a stroke upon the head With his scimeter. The son made such 
a violent effort to save his father by a word that he broke the string 
of his tongue, and cried out, "Soldier, spare the life of Croesus !" 
And so, if we love Christ and His cause earnestly, our tongues will 
be loosened. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 177 



THE MOTIVE POWER. 

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the 
word of the Lord unto Zerubabel, saying, not by might, nor^by 
power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zech. 4 :6. — And, 
behold, I slend the promise of my Father upon you : but tarry ye in 
the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 
Luke 24 149. — But ye shall receive power, after that the Holv Spirit 
is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in 
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the utter- 
most part of the earth. Acts 1 :8. — Not by works of righteousness 
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by 
the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. 
Titus 3 :5- — It is the Spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh profiteth noth- 




ing : the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are 
life. Jno. 6 163 . — And when they had prayed, the place was shaken 
where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with 
the Holy Spirit and they spake the word with boldness. Acts 4: 
3 1 . — But ye are not in the flesh : but in the spirit, if so be that the 
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit 
of Christ, he is none of his. Rom. 8 :q. 

(' The hidden things about us are many. Some of them are be- 
yond our comprehension, even though they are brought to light. 
In the Christian life and character this stands out very clearly, and 
it is often a wonder why some apparently and really do, have more 
strength, and fortitude than others. While it is quite true, yet it 
is very easily understood by the light of God's Word. Some have 
learned the secret of the motive power. The writer was stopping 



i;8 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



at a certain large hotel up in the mountains of Japan. The hotel 
was illuminated with electricity, and it was a mystery, as to how 
they generated it. One day I started off to find out for myself, 
and after walking quite a distance, saw off at the foot of the moun- 
tains the little building above, and went over to inspect the affair 
standing there all alone. It was found that the Japanese had 
harnessed the mountains with ditches, and canals, by which the 
water was gathered, and carried to this place where it created the 
power that made the electricity, and sent it down to< the hotel. 
When the Holy Spirit quickens and fills your life then there comes 
light, power, joy and peace. When the water runs low, then the 
power is decreased, and the lights grow very dimily. It is so with 
the spiritual life. 

"Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers; 
Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours." 

• Read Isaiah 53 — . 



GOOD MOTTOES. 



One of the great mercantile establishments of London is that 
of Whiteley, the "Universal Provider" and William Whiteley, 
coming up from Yorkshire a penniless lad, became one of the mil- 
lionaires of England. In his account of his own methods of success, 
he says some illuminating things. "I began", he asserts, "with 
more than my shop and stock in trade. To my capital I added my 
conscience. In my skin money bag I had some old-fashioned mot- 
toes, and it was my intention that all money going thereinto should 
pass through these mottoes, as it were; for then I should be certain 
of earning good money. 

"For instance, "Be honest" — that was in the bag; consequently 
no money could get in unless it had been earned honestly. Then 
punctuality, civility, cleanliness. Then I never said, "What is the 
most I can get for an article?" but, "What is the least I can sell it 
for? 'I was firmly convinced of the necessity of having rules, sys- 
tem, order. Not any rules — the first to hand — but the best to do 
business by, the best system of working, the most perfect order, no- 
thing less. It didn't matter to me whether they had been tried be- 
fore or not." 

Small wonder that such a man succeeded. But even if he had 
failed, at least he would have failed nobly. His business ideals were 
the best — nothing less. — Forward. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



179 



THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, 
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33. — 
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but hav- 
ing seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and em- 
braced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims 
on the earth. Heb. 11 113. — For the promise is unto you, and to 
your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the 
Lord our God shall call. Acts 2 139. — Jesus saith unto him, I am 
the way, the truth, and -the life ; no man cometh unto the Father, 
but by me. Jno. 14:6. — Thine eyes shall see the king in his 
beauty : they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isa. 33 :i7. 




„ wu The & reat fac t is, that life is a service. The question is, 
Whom shall we serve ?" Jesus very clearly tells us in the first 
verse above. The view gives us a glimpse of the Lower Falls in 
the Yellowstone Park. It appears to be quite small, indeed, but 
because it is AFAR OFF. The distance is probably one and 
three-fourths miles. And so it is with one that is just commenc- 
ing to live a new life in Christ Jesus. It may seem to be a very 
small matter at first, but God calls you to start, and he will add 
more unto you, as you go along the way. St. Paul exhorts all to 
Be followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ 
also^ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and 
sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. Eph. z:i 2 Read 
Psalm 1—, special verse 6. 



i8o RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



POTATOES. 

Though the Christian is to expect to be set free from cor- 
roding fear, he should never permit himself to relax his own ef- 
forts after an attainable good. Paul has expressed the true doc- 
trine in his exhortation, "Work out your own salvation, for it is 
God that worketh in you." Many good people are at times inclined 
to become fanatical by assuming that God works without means 
or will work a miracle for any or no reason. Christmas Evans, 
the celebrated Welsh preacher, once told his wife with whom he 
was discussing the potato question : "Catherine, you never mind 
the potatoes; put your trust in Providence and all will be well. ,, 
His wife, who was a thrifty and sensible woman, replied, "Christ- 
mas, you go and sit down on the top of the hill waiting for Provi- 
dence, and I'll go and hoe the potatoes; and we shall see to which 
of us Providence will come first." 



? WHY HE LOST THE RACE. 

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that 
smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil. Isa. 41 :y. 

Some little boys were running a race, and all felt sure that 
Tommy, the boy in the lead, would win as he was the fastest 
runner. Those looking on began to cheer the different boys, and 
Tommy gradually fell behind until he was the last one to reach 
the goal. His friends gathered around inquiring why this was. 
And Tommy, wiping the tears from his dirty little face, replied : 
"You yelled go it, John, go it, Jimmy ! but there was not one yelled 
go it Tommy, and somehow I just could not run at all." A word 
of cheer frequently makes the difference between success and 
failure. 



WOULDN'T DO. 



Bishop Ames tells a story of a slave master in the olden time 
who said to his chattel : "Pompey, I hear you are a great preach- 
er." "Yes, massa, de Lord do help me powerful sometimes." 
"Well, Pompey, don't you think the Negroes steal little things 
on the plantation?" "Fse mighty 'fraid they does, massa." "Then, 
Pompey, I want you to preach a sermon to the Negroes against 
stealing." After a brief reflection, Pompey replied : "You see, 
massa, dat wouldn't never do, 'cause 'twould trow such a col'ness 
over de meetin'." — Foster's Cyclopaedia. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



181 



THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this : I have not spoken in 
secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am 
I: and now the Lord God, and his spirit, hath sent me. Thus 
saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel : I am the 
Lord thy. God which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest 
go. Isa. 84:16, 17. — But it is good for me to draw near to God: 
I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy 
works. Ps. j$ :28.— For the law made nothing perfect, but the 
bringing in of a better hope did: by the which we draw nigh -unto 
God. Heb. 7:19. — But the path of the just (righteous) is as the 
shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 
Prov. 4:18. 




This second view represents the Christian getting into a nearer 
relationship with the eternal God and a deeper insight into the 
new life imparted by Jesus Christ. The understanding opened and 
the dark and deep sayings of the Scriptures becoming clearer and 
the vision brighter. But this is not the stopping place in the race 
set before you. Sometimes, as I walked along the road, this 
beautiful scene would be hidden from me by little hills and tall 
trees, so the poets words came to my mind : 

"So on I go, not knowing, 
I would not if I might; 
I'd rather walk by faith with Him 



Than 



<;o alone in the light; 



182 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



I'd rather walk by faith with Him 
Than go alone by sight." 
Read Luke 17:20-37, special verse 21. 



THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. , 

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake 
out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we be- 
lieved. Rom. 13:11. — Let us draw near with a true heart in full 
assurance of faith. Heb. 10:22. — Draw nigh to God, and he will 
draw nigh to you. Jas. 4:8. 

As St. Paul well says, "I press on toward the mark for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:19. 




Coming nearer the journeys end of our little allotted portion of 
time, the Christian's life will centralize more and more on Him 
who said, "If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me/' The 
way may seem weary at times, unfortunate circumstances may 
come upon one, difficult tasks, afflictions and possibly persecution 
from would-be friends, but to these things Ave may say, as the 
Apostle did, "And we know that all things work together for 
good to them that love God, to them who are called according to 
his purpose." Rom. 8 :22. And that none of these things move 
me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish 
my course with joy. Acts 20 :24. More blessings will be given 
from heaven for your very faithfulness. Let no obstacle impede 
your progress of the high calling. Read Dent. 32:1-14, special 
verse 6. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



183 



THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 

I know a man (Paul) in Christ about fourteen years ago: 
(whether in the body, I cannot tell; or out of the body, I cannot 
tell: God knoweth); such an one caught up to the third heaven. 
And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, 
I cannot tell: God knoweth). How that he was caught up into 
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful for a 
man to utter. 2 Cor. 12 12-4. — Blessed be the God and Father of 



our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy 
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and 
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 
who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 
ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, 
though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through 
manifold temptations : that the trial of your faith being much more 
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, 



184 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing 
of Jesus Christ, i Pet. 1 13-7. 

This water falls 370 feet. It is 74 feet wide at the top. 
There is no more water running over this high precipice now„ 
than the one in the first view. There, it is quite small indeed, 
but here, like a whole mountain of it had been turned loose. The 
only difference is, I came nearer, yes even nearer than in the third 
scene. The very mist moistened my parched lips. What a roar- 
ing ! How beautiful ! Dead to the world. There in its magnificent 
presence one's soul would be filled with the rapturous melody. It 
seemed that heaven and earth met right here. Going down on 
the east side of the canon is (which very few people do) quite a 
journey of about 1500 feet, walking, crawling and sliding to the 
foot of the Falls. Several times I thought I would give up the 
task undertaken. How often we become faint-hearted and almost 
ready to quit, when victory is nearly ours, but you remember what 
Jesus says, "To him that overcometh." Rev. 3:21. I do not 
wonder at St. Paul getting such a glimpse of the heavens as he 
did. He was shut in with Christ for the time being, learning of 
Him. Standing at the foot of the Falls, there was only one way 
one could look, and that was UP. The first glimpse of the Falls 
here buried all the thoughts of the weary trip. When the Chris- 
tian's journey of life is finished, and he stands in the glorious 
presence of Christ, the many hard trials and struggles shall be 
turned into glories, as Paul says to Romans, Chap. 8-18 : For I 
reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be 
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Read 
Revelations 21 — , special verse 4. 



HEART PRAYER. 

When Dr. Bacchus (the president of Hamilton College) was 
upon his deathbed the doctor called to see him, and, after exam- 
ining the symptoms, left the room without speaking, but as he 
opened the door to go out, was observed to whisper something to 
the servant. "What did the physician say to you?" asked Dr. 
Bacchus. "He said, sir, that you cannot live to exceed half an 
hour." — "Is it so?" said the good man. "Then take me out of 
my bed, and place me upon my knees : let me spend that time in 
calling upon God for the salvation of the world." His request 
was complied with : and his last moments were spent in breathing 
forth his prayers for the salvation of his fellow sinners: he died 
upon his knees. — Howes. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



i85 



A SACRED PLACE. 

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be- 
called the way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it, but 
the redeemed shall walk there. Isa. 35 :8. — And there shall in 
no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever 
worketh an abomination, or maketh a lie : but they which are writ- 
ten in the Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21 125, 27. — He that is un- 
just, let him be unjust still ; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy 
still ; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still ; and he that 
is holy, let him be holy still. Blessed are they that do his command- 
ments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter 
in through the gates into the city. Rev. 22:11, 14. — And the 
ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs 




and everlasting joy upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and glad- 
ness and sorrow and signing shall flee away. Isa. 35 no. 

This is the sacred bridge at Nikko, Japan. It was con- 
structed for the special use of one of her great men (a king) 280 
years ago. The pillars are stone and the rest of the bridge is 
made of wood and painted with red lacquer. There is a gate at 
either end, and they are kept under lock and key. None but those 
of a royal family may cross it. I was told that President Grant 
refused to go over it, for he was not of royal ancestry. ^Being in- 
clined to hero worship, they looked upon the General 
as worthy of this mark of distinction. I saw a Chinese 
Prince cross over the sacred structure. It leads up to the 
Emperor's beautiful temple on the right side. There is another 
bridge nearby for the other people to cross this creek. The 



186 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



Redeemed of God belong to His royal family, and his way is a 
way of holiness, which leads to the throne of God, and over which 
only the ransomed may pass. When one makes up his mind 
to go to God, Jesus will open the gates to let him enter in and 
oyer. Saint John says, Unto him (Jesus) that loved us, and 
washed us from our sins in his own blood. Rev. 7:5. Jesus says, 
I am the way and the life. Jno. 14:6. Read Matt. 13:1-24, 
special verse 23. 



CAUSE OF UNHAPPINESS. 

Harsh judgment, rough words, small but frequent acts of sel- 
fishness and injustice, sometimes poison the heart that promises to 
be healthy, and curse the start that promised to be blessed. There 
are families that possess every earthly comfort — health, money, and 
occupation — but are miserable from the jealousy and quarreling 
that prevail within. There are married couples who live in daily 
sorrow, not because they are in want, but because each thinks the 
other unkind and arbitrary, and inconsiderate. Young people some- 
times marry with their eyes shut ; and thus, instead of being mated 
with angels, as they foolishly imagined they might be, they find 
out afterward that they are only men and women, with the com- 
mon work-a-day weaknesses and faults of their respective sexes. 
This sham love easily gets soured, and then each reproaches the 
other for not fulfilling the sentimental prospects with which they 
entered the marriage state. Take any of the relationships of life, 
and we find that the greater part of all our sorrow comes from the 
same cause. Get anyone to tell you honestly what gives him the 
most annoyance and disquietude, and he will tell you they come 
from want of kindness, sympathy, and fellow feeling. He could 
tell you that he would bear other things if he only met with more 
consideration, support, and encouragement from the people with 
whom he had to do. — Michigan Christian Advocate. 



A lady visited New York city and saw on the sidewalk a 
ragged, cold and hungry little girl, gazing wistfully at some 
of the cakes in a shop window. She stopped, and taking the little 
one by the hand led her in the store, though she was aware that 
bread might be better for the cold child than cake, yet desiring to 
gratify the shivering and forlorn one. She bought and gave 
her the cake she wanted. She then took her to another place, 
where she procured her a shawl and other articles of comfort. 
The gratified little creature looked the benevolent lady up full 
in the face, and with artless simplicity said : "Are you God's 
wife?" Did the most eloquent speaker ever employ words to 
better advantage ? 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



187 



YE ARE LIGHTS. 

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have 
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His 
Son, cleanseth us from all sin. John 1 :y. — Ye are the light of the 
world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do 
men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, 
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matt. 5.14. 
51. — Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your 
good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. Matt. 
5:16. — For ye were sometimes in darkness, but now are ye light 
in the Lord ; walk as children of light. Eph. 5 :8. 

This world is in spiritual darkness. Jesus came into the world 




See the day scene on page 93. 



to be the light of the world. When he ascended into heaven, he 
made his chosen ones to be the light. It was a dark night 
at the St. Louis Fair, but the many little lights made it almost like 
the day. Here and there one could see a little light had gone out 
and it had left a darkened place. It broke the continuous harmony 
of the whole. It is so with' one of God's children, when praying 
and testifying and working for the Lord is given up. The little 
light goes out, and it makes confusion in the harmony that is es- 
sential to the Christian life. The question for each one of us is, 
Is my little candle burning, or has it been hidden under a bushel in 
some way? Am I doing my little portion to make things around 
me brighter and others more cheerful. Read John 1 135-51, special 
verse 48. 



1 88 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ON WHICH SIDE ARE YOU? 

I have set before you, life and death, the blessing and the 
curse. Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may 
live. Deut. 30:19. — Who his own self bare our sins in his own 
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto 
righteousness : by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Pet. 2 124. 




1 
2 

3 

4 

5 
6 

7 
8 

9 
10 

11 



WHAT I WAS. 

Far "off. Eph. 2 113. 

My sins as scarlet. Isa. 1 : 

18. 

Servant of Sin. Jno. 8 134. 

Rom. 6:16, 20. 

In bondage. Gal. 2 4. Gal. 

Sinner. Rom. 3 123. 

Sold under sin. Rom. 7 4. 

Child of the Devil. Jno. 

844. 

Led captive by the Devil. 

2 Tim. 2 '.26. 

Shall perish. Luke 13:3. 

Jesus knows not. Matt. 25 : 

12. 

Depart. Matt. 25 41, 46. 



4- 

5* 

6. 



10. 
11. 



WHAT I AM NOW. 

Made nigh. Eph. 2:13. 
Whiter than snow. Ps. 51: 

7- 

Servant of God. 1 Pet. 2 : 

15, 16. 1 Cor. 7:22. 

Free .Rom. 6 :22. 

Saint. Rom. 1 7. 2 Tim. 

1:9. 

Bought with a price. 1 

Cor. 6:20. 

Child of God. Rom. 8:16. 

1 Jno. 3:1, 2. 

Led by the Holy Spirit. 

Rom. 8 :i4. 

Shall never perish. Jno. 10 : 

28, 29. 

Jesus knows. Jno. 10:27. 

Come. Matt. 25:31, 34. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



THE HOME. 



189 



And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you 
this day whom ye will serve : But as for me and my house, we will 
serve the Lord. Josh. 24:15. — For I know him, that he will com- 
mand his children and his household after him, and they shall keep 
the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. Gen. 18:19. — 
When I ca.ll to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, 
(Timothy) which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy 
mother Eunice ; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Tim. 1 : 
5. — And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, 
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith 
which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 3:15. — Howbeit Jesus suffered 
him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them 
how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had com- 




, 



passion on thee. Mark. 5 :i9. — But if any widow have children or 
nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite 
their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 1 Tim. 
5 '.4. — Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is 
•old, he will not depart from it. Prov. 22 :6. 

Someone has well said, "that religion begins in the home." 
A home is not really a home without God's presence living and 
abiding in it. I was in a merchants home in the city of Minneapo- 
lis one day, and saw this motto hanging over the table, "The Lord 
Jesus Christ is the head of this house." Truly he was. Every- 
thing about that home showed its impress. The Japanese grand- 
mother is sitting in her parlor by the fire-place, with its ever ready 
hot water to serve cha (tea) to any visitors that may come in. 
She is reading a scripture lesson to her daughter and grandchil- 



190 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



dren, who are visiting her. The family altar is established in that 
home, and the influence is felt by every one that enters it. Many 
boys and girls go astray from the fact that they have never had 
much offered to them in the home. Home signifies to enclose. 
What does it enclose ? It takes the place of the garden of Eden — 
Paradise. How beautiful the thought, "Home, sweet home." It 
matters not whether it is a cottage or a mansion. It should be a 
little world with strife shut out, and with a world of love shut in. 
In this there will be joy, peace and happiness, where the mother 
always loves to be found, the father longs to be — and the tie that 
binds the hearts of the children. Mr. Spurgeon puts it thus: 
"When the home is ruled according to God's Word, Angels might 
be asked to stay with us, and not find themselves out of their ele- 
ment." Good homes make a good community and virtuous society. 
From these are built the state and' the nation. Without these no 
nation can prosper. Read Prov. i 7-16, special verse 7. 



A REAL HOME. 



I never saw a garment too fine for a man or maid ; there never 
was a chair too good for a cobbler or a king to sit in ; never a house 
too fine to shelter the human head. Elegance fits man. But do we 
not value these tools a little more than they are worth, and some- 
times mortgage a house for the mahogany we bring into it? I had 
rather eat my dinner off the head of a barrel, or dress after the 
fashion of John the Baptist in the wilderness, or sit on a block all 
my life, than consume all myself before I got to a home, and take 
so much pains with the outside that the inside was as hollow as an 
empty nut. Beauty is a great thing, but beauty of garment, house, 
and furniture are tawdry ornaments compared with domestic love. 
All the elegance in the world will not make a home, and I would 
give more for a spoonful of real hearty love than for whole ship- 
loads of furniture and all the gorgeousness the world can gather. — 
O. W. Holmes. 



AS A CHILD. 



It was her father's custom to look into her room the last thing 
before she fell asleep, and always the little voice would bid him the 
same farewell : "Good-night, father ; I'll see you in the morning*." 

Sickness came, and the beloved child drew near her end. Just 
at the last she put her arms around her father's neck, and said, with 
failing breath, "Good-night, father; "I'll see you in the morning." 

She was quite right. The little child is always right in the 
spiritual kingdom." — R. J. Campbell. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



in I 



WAIT. ; 

Blessed is the man that heareth me, (God) watching daily at 
my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. P'rov. 8 134. — Wait on 
the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart : 
wait, I say on the Lord. Ps. 27:14. — But they that wait upon the 
Lord shall renew their strength : they shall mount up with wings 
as eagles: they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, 
and not faint. Isa. 40:31. — It is good that a man should both 
hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3 :25- — 
And being assembled together with them commanded them that 
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of 
the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. Acts 1 '.4. — For we 
through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 




Gal. 5 15. — And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised 
from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to 
come. 1 Thes. 1:10. 

The men are waitino- for the incline car, Duluth, Minn. It 
is just patiently wait. "Wait" is a wondrously mysterious word to 
many people. But to the Christian it becomes really a grace. When 
everything seems to go wrong about you, then is the time to "wait" 
on Him for wisdom, help and strength. The wicked do not wait 
upon the Lord, because He is not in all their thoughts. Some 
'Christians do not deem it necessary, and as too trifling a thing, 
and especially why should I take all my little trials and temptations 
to him. It is the right thing to do, for by such act, you acknowl- 
edge your dependence upon God. He says, "Him that honoretli 
me I will honor." Many blessings will come to* your personal life 
that you do not receive now by remembering this privilege and duty. 



192 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 

Try it in the i 
many burdens. 



Try it in the morning. It will help you through the day with its 
many burdens. 



"Jesus, my strength, my hope, 
On thee I cast my care; 
With humble confidence look up, 
And know thou hearest my prayer. 
Give me on thee to wait, 
Till I can all things do ; 
On thee, almighty to create, 
Almighty to renew." 

Read 2 Pet. 3 — , special verse 9. 



HAD TESTE!) THE REMEDY. 

It is related that Bishop Kavanaugh was one day walking, 
when he met a prominent physician who offered him a seat in his 
•carriage. The physician was an infidel, and the conversation 
turned upon religion. 

'"I am surprised," said the doctor, "that such an intelligent 
man as you should believe such an old fable as that." 

The Bishop said, "Doctor, suppose years ago someone had 
recommended to you a prescription, and, taking it according to 
order, you had been cured of a terrible disease, what would you 
say of the man who would not try your prescription?'. 

"I would say he was a fool." 

"Twenty-five years ago," said Kavanaugh, "I tried the power 
of God's grace. It made a different man of me. All these years 
I have preached salvation, and whenever accepted, have never 
known it to fail." 



To do something for someone else ; to love the unlovely ; to give 
a hand to the unattractive; to speak to the uncongenial; to make 
friends with the poor and folks of lowly degree ; to find a niche in 
the Church of the Lord, and to do something out of sheer love for 
Him ; to determine in his house to 'have his mind ; to plan to win 
at least one for the Master ; to aim to redeem past time that is lost ; 
to will to let one's light shine; to cut off practices that are sinful 
and costly ; to add the beauty of holiness — this is to make one's life 
a thing of beauty and this is to grow in grace, for growing in grace 
is simply copying the beautiful life of the altogether lovely one. — 
Edward F. Reimer. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



193 



TOUCH NOT, 

God says : Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy 
son with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, 
lest ye die : it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations : 
Lev. 10:9. — Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that 
they may follow strong drink: that continue until night, till wine 
inflame them! Isa. 5 :ii.— Wine is a mocker, strong drink is rag- 
ing: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Prov. 20:1. 
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bot- 
tle to him, and makest him drunken also. Hab. 2 :i5. — They shall 
not drink wine with a song ; strong drink shall be bitter to them that 
drink it. Isa. 24 :g. Look not thou Upon the wine when it is red, 
when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 




At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Prov. 
23:31, 32. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such 
like : of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time 
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom 
of God. Gal. 5:21. — Let us walk honestly as in the day: not in 
rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not 
in strife and envying. Rom. 13 :i3- 1 

Right at one of the main entrances of the St. Louis Fair was 
a mass of saloons. This is one of them. A beautiful specimen of 
our American institutions, is it not ? John Burns, the English labor 
leader, describes them thus, "Throughout the centuries the drink 
shop has been the ante-chamher to the workhouse, the chapel of 
ease to the asylum, the recruiting station for the hospital, the ren- 
dezvous for the gambler, the gathering ground for the jail." We 



194 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



all know this is a true picture, and still we will give them the right 
of way to carry the young and the old to the pit of destruction. 
Mr. Gladstone once said that, "Intoxicating drinks have produced 
evils more deadly, than all those caused to mankind by the great 
historic scourges of war, famine and pestilence combined." It 
is a man wrecker. A home destroyer. It is the crime of all ages. 
The sign reads A. B. C, which is literally true, that drink is the 
a. b. c. to the downful, and even to the drunkards grave and to hell 
to hundreds of thousands of people. Beware of the A. B. C. and 
its kindred companions ! There is danger in the cup. It is the 
first cup that makes the drunkard, and the last sends his soul to 
perdition. Read Rom. 2:1-16, special verse 4. 



It is said that Kudyard Kipling, the great English literary 
genius, one time believed in the inalienable right of the individual 
to exercise self-control and self-regulation on the liquor question, 
but was converted to prohibition by witnessing the leading of two 
young girls to ruin through drink, after which he wrote as follows : 
"Then, recanting previous opinions, I became a prohibitionist. Bet- 
ter it is that a man should go without his beer in public places and 
content himself with swearing at the narrow-mindedness of the 
majority; better it is to poison the inside with very vile temper- 
ance drinks and to buy lager furtively at back doors than to bring 
temptation to the lips of young fools such as the four I had seen. 
I understand now why preachers rage against drink. I have said 
there is no harm in it, taken moderately ; and yet my own demand 
for beer helped directly to send those two girls reeling down a back 
street to — God alone knows what end." 



During revival meetings in Des Moines a few days ago a lady, 
said to be the champion whist player of America, arose and said: 
"I wish to state publicly that I will never touch cards again. My 
conclusion has been reached deliberately, and I have come to see 
the evil of card playing, especially in social circles. I can see 
nothing but harm coming from it, and from now on I shall not 
touch playing cards again. I care nothing for the honors I have 
won at the game, and will abandon them without regret. As to 
dancing, there is even more harm connected with it than in cards, 
and I shall do all in my power to discourage it as a form of social 
amusement. — N. W. C. A. Feb., 1907. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



195 



THE DIVISION. 

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy 
angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory : 
And before him shall be gathered all nations : and he shall separate 
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from his 
goats : and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, and the stoats 
on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, 
Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for 
you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also 
unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into ever- 
lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels : and these shall 
go away into everlasting punishment : but the righteous into eternal 
life. Matt. 25:31, 34, 41-46. — Say unto them, As I live, saith 




the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but 
that the wicked turn from his way and live. Eze. 33:11. — And 
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into 
the lake of fire. JRev. 20:15. — And there shall in no wise enter 
into it (heaven) anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh 
abomination or maketh a lie : but they which are written in the 
Lamb's book of life. Rev. 21 :2y.—Re that is unjust, let him be 
unjust still : and he which is filthy; let him be filthy still : and he 
that is righteous, let him be righteous still : and he that is holy, 
let him be holy still. Rev. 22 :u. 

Some fair minded people seem to get (for the ease of their own 
conscience) the one sided idea, that God is ALL love, so that they 
through presumption on His mercy, and a darkened understanding 



196 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



concerning eternal things, may continue in SIN. God's love can 
only be measured by his justice. Sin must be punished, wherever 
it is found. God will find it on the Cross of Christ or on the soul 
of man. If man is pleased to continue in sin during this life, then 
at the judgment clay he will be separated from God's presence for- 
ever and from all good. That one will live with all his sins com- 
mitted here, dogging his footsteps eternally. The scene is on the 
Continental Divide, in the Yellowstone Park. At this point, the 
altitude is about 8000 feet the highest point on that part of the 
range. Here is where the waters divide, some of it flowing into 
the Pacific (peaceful) Ocean, and some of it into the Atlantic (the 
Turbulent) Ocean. The Cross of Christ is the dividing line for 
eternity. On the one side is darkness and despair, and on the 
other peace and glory. Have you definitely accepted Jesus for 
your personal Savior from sin? Read Acts 26 — , special verse 28. 



THE GIVER MORE THAN THE GIFT. 

Gipsy Smith tells in his autobiography how after having" been 
away from his family for seven months they received him with joy 
on his return, shortly after which all of them attended a bazar. . 

Thinking to give pleasure to his little girl, he took some money 
out of his pocket, and, displaying it in the palm of his hand, said : 
''Zillah, take what you like and go and spend it!" 

The child's big dark eyes filled with tears. She looked wistful- 
ly at her father, and said : "Daddy, I don't want your old money : 
I want you! You have been away from us for seven months, do 
you know it?" 



THE FIFTH GOSPEL . 

There are four written Gospels. The fifth is writing now. 
The world may forget the four, and the leaves of the Book may 
never be turned, but the fifth Gospel men are sure to read. 

That fifth Gospel is your life of Christ; that is, your life in 
Christ. Men may forget Christ; they never forget the Christian. 
Christ lives in Heaven and on earth. The world's dull eyes have 
never gazed upon His Heavenly glory, but they are looking eagerly 
for Him on earth. Christ in men is the most powerful preaching. 

The world has had many lives of Christ. Each Christian is 
writing his own, and the very children read it. We are either re- 
vealing or veiling Christ to men. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 197 



AFFLICTIONS. 

Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am deso- 
late and afflicted. Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and for- 
give all my sins. Ps. 25:16, 18. — I will go and return to my 
place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face ; in 
their affliction they will seek me early. Hosea 2:15. — It is good 
for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statutes. 
I am afflicted very much : quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy 
word. Ps. 119:71, 107. — If when evil cometh upon us, as the 
sword, judgment or pestilence or famine, we stand before this 
house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house), and 
cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 2 
Chron. 20:9. — Is any one among you afflicted? Let him pray. 




James 5:13. — For our. light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 
2 Cor. 4:17. — My son, despise not thou the chastening of the 
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him : for whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth. Heb. 12:5, 6.— Most gladly therefore will 
I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may 
rest upon me. 1 Cor. 12 :g. 

In the mountainous region of Japan there are a number of 
hot mineral springs which are noted for their medicinal properties. 
The man (a foreigner) in the chair was afflicted severely with 
rheumatism. He is just ready to leave the hotel at Ashinovou, 
Hakone. He is sitting in a cane chair and is carried by four lap- 
anese. The chair is fastened to two poles. His lapanese wife is 
carried in a basket shaped affair called a kago, which is used prin- 



198 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



cipally for the Japanese as they are as a rule smaller of stature 
than the foreigner. The carriers have their prices for certain 
distances. The kago is carried by two men. This man went away 
benefitted to some degree. Where will not people go to find a 
healing balm for this earthly body ? This place is visited by people 
from all parts of the world. The Lord permits afflictions and 
sorrows to come to us for a purpose. To the sinful he calls to 
repentance, and to the righteous to a deeper consecration and to 
be drawn nearer to him* in fellowship. It is a great teacher. 

Some will fret and worry themselves sick. Remedy, Isa. 26 : 
3; 45:22; Jno. 14:1, 2. Others will imagine themselves sick, that 
is, they will think only about themselves, until they really think they 
are sick. This is most distressing. Remedy — plenty of work 
and sufficient play. The really and truly afflicted one God tries, 
purifies and refines as does the silversmith his silver and gold. 
Mai. 3 13. Sometimes he uses these things as his furnace. Isa. 
48:10. Will we stand the test? It made Job stronger in faith. 
It brought St. Paul into a brighter Christian experience. He had 
to carry a certain affliction all his life, yet he glorified God through 
it all. Jesus said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee." 2 
Cor. 12 :g. Whom the Lord loves he chastens sometimes beyond 
our understanding. The Lord says, too, "Call upon me in the 
day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Ps. 
50:15. Read Romans 10:1-13, special verse 10. 



GRATITUDE. 



- Among the many beautiful stories of Queen Victoria this was 
told just after she died. While visiting the wounded soldiers who 
had been brought back from South Africa she was greatly dis- 
tressed by the appearance of one poor man who had been terribly 
injured. 

"Is there nothing," said the queen, "that I can do for you?' 

The soldier replied, "Nothing, your majesty, unless you would 
thank my nurse for her kindness to me."' 

The queen turned to the nurse and said, with tears in her eyes. 
I do thank you with all my heart for your kindness to this poor 
wounded son of mine." 

There was something exquisitely beautiful in the soldier's ut- 
ter self-for-q-etfulness. which led him to think not of anything from 
his queen for himself, hut of pleasure and honor to her who was 
serving him so faithfully. 



tt 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



199 



A RESTING PLACE. 

And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was 
pleasant. Gen. 49.15. — Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your 
rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you. Micah. 2:10 — 
For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which 
the Lord your God giveth you. Deut. 12 :g. — There the wicked 
cease from troubling, and there the weary be at rest. job. S :L 7- 
— There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For 
he that entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own 
works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into 
that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 
Heb. 4:9, 10, 11. 

Traveling over the mountain roads of Japan, one will fre- 




quently come to a little house, most always kept by a woman who 
is endeavoring to gain a livelihood. They are kept for the weary 
traveler. The old lady keeps this one. It is open during the day 
time, and at night the slide doors are put in position again enclos- 
ing it. One of them, the younger girl, generally goes out to greet 
you with an "iraishaii," that is, "welcome, come in." You enter, if 
you so desire, and they will bring you a cushion, a cup of green 
tea, and some nicknacks. Here one may take a pleasant rest, and 
then give them ju sen (5 cents gold) and start on his journey 
again. These are earthly resting places, and we need them all 
along the journey of life, but there is a higher and more excellent 
resting place to which we should labor diligently to enter, and if 
faithful will be welcomed by Him with an eternal "iraishaii." Jesus 
says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I 



200 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



will give you rest.'' Matt, n 128. jThis means present rest to the 
weary one as well as the eternal rest and is conditioned on our 
Coming. Read Isaiah 26:1-12, special verse 3. 



A LITTLE GIRL THAT SHONE. 

"Well, grandma," said a little boy, resting his elbow on the old 
lady's stuffed chair-arm, "what have you been doing here at the 
window all day by yourself?" 

''All I could," answered dear grandma, cheerily; "I have read 
a little, and prayed a good deal, and then looked out at the people. 
There's one little girl, Arthur, that I have learned to watch for. 
She has sunny brown hair, her brown eyes have the same sunny 
look in them, and I wonder every day what makes her look so 
bright. Ah! here she comes now." 

Arthur took his elbows off the stuffed arm and planted them on 
the window sill. 

"That girl with the brown apron on?" he cried. "Why, I 
know that girl. That is Susie Moore, and she has a dreadful hard 
time, grandma." 

"Has she?" said grandma. "Oh, little boy, wouldn't you give 
anything to know where she gets all that brightness from, then?" 

"I'll ask her," said Arthur, promptly, and to grandma's sur- 
prise he raised the window, and called : 

"Susie, O Susie, come up here a minute; grandma wants to 
see you !" 

The brown eyes opened wide in surprise, but the little maid 
turned at once. 

"Grandma wants to know what makes you look so bright all 
the time?" 

"Why; I have to," said Susie. "You see, papa's been ill a 
long while, and mamma is tired out with nursing, and the baby's 
cross with her teeth, and if I didn't be bright, who would be?" 

"Yes, yes, I see," said old grandma, putting her arm around 
this little streak of sunshine. "That's God's reason for things; 
they are, because somebody needs them. Shine on, little sun ; there 
couldn't be a better reason for shining than because it is dark at 
home." 



A CHARGE TO KEEP. 

A charge to keep I have ; 

A God to glorify : 
A never-dving soul to save. 

And fit it for the sky. — Charles Weslev. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



201 



ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of 
his holy 'hill. Ps. 3 14. — The Lord hath heard my supplication, the 
Lord will receive my prayer. Ps. 6 :g. — I called upon the Lord in 
distress : the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. I will- 
praise thee : for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 
Ps. 118:5, 2I - — The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, 
to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them 
that fear him : he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Ps. 
145 : 1 8, 19. — And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I 
do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask 
anything in my name, I will do it. Jno. 14:13, 14. — And whatso- 
ever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments. 




and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 Jno. 3 :22. — 
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume 
it upon your own lusts. Jas 4 13. 

It is surely God's delight to hear and answer the prayers of his 
children. It is at morning prayer in a hospital in Hakodate, Japan. 
An English missionary and his wife, who some years ago responded 
to the Lord's call, "Whom shall I send." They have the double 
privilege of healing the body, as well as leading the lost soul back 
to the Great Physician. God has truly answered their prayers in 
their own lives and in their work. Prayers are not answered when 
we live in the last verse above. They are answered when we live 
in the verse next to the last. We naturally want to do the things 
that please ourselves and to spend them upon our own selfish lives. 
.Selfishness displeases God. Instance of prayer test. 1 Kings 18 : 



202 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



24-39. Answers withheld. Deut. 23 15. Delayed. Jer. 42 14, 7, 
Luke 18 \y. Answers to exceed petition. 1 Kinks 3 7-14, Acts 12 : 
5, 15. Answers different from request. Deut. 3:23-27, 2 Cor. 12. 
8, 9. Read Luke 23 134 — 46, special verse 42. 



A PRAYER IN A PILLOW. 

One night the mother of two little girls was away at bed- 
time, and they were left to do as they would. 

"I am not going to pray tonight," said Lillian when she was 
ready for bed. 

/'Why, Lillian !" exclaimed Amy, with round eyes of astonish- 
ment. 

"I don't care ; I am not going to. There isn't any use." 

So she tumbled into bed, while Amy knelt and prayed. The 
little prayer finished and the light extinguished, Amy crept into 
bed. There was a long silence; then Lillian began to turn rest- 
lessly, giving her pillow a vigorous thump and saying crossly: 
"I wonder what is the matter with this pillow?" Then came a 
sweet little voice from Amy's side of the bed : "I guess it's 'cause 
there isn't any prayer in it." 



PATIENCE. 



A girl belonging to a church society went to call upon a 
cripple, taking some sweet spring flowers to the invalid. After a 
little conversation the visitor asked : 

"Don't you get tired of being tied to that bed day and night, 
Miss Grey, week after week?" 

"Yes, I think I do sometimes; that is, I grow bodily tired," 
was the response. "But I try not to think of that. I only want 
to remember that God is good and merciful. In his love he spared 
me, even though I am a cripple, to live, that I might learn to know 
him here. You see, before I was hurt I never thought about him 
as being a real friend and helper. But since I have been compelled 
to lie here quiet and helpless, I can even find joy and thankfulness 
in my affliction; I live to serve him, and that crowds almost every 
other thought out." 

And the one who had come to minister went away feeling that 
she had received more than she had given during that brief visit. 
"Joy and thankfulness in affliction." Truly, only those who know 
him for their loving Saviour can say this. — Young People's Weekly 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



203 



PLEASURES. 

For the Lord God is a sun and a shield : the Lord will give 
grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that 
walk uprightly. Ps. 84 :i 1. — I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will 
prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure, and, behold, this 
also is vanity. Eccles. 2:1. — Her ways (wisdom — religion) are 
ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Prov. 3:17. — 
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope 
in his mercy. Ps. 147:11. — For the Lord taketh pleasure in his 
people : he will beautify the meek with salvation. Ps. 149 14. — He 
that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man : he that loveth wine and oil 
shall not be rich. Prov. 21 :iy. — But she that liveth in pleasure is 









Ml 41 







A little train at the St. Louis Fair 



dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5 :6. — And that which fell among 
thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are 
•choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no 
fruit to perfection. Luke 8:14. — Traitors, heady, highminded, 
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. 2 Tim. 3 -.4. — Choos- 
ing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy 
the pleasures of sin for a season. Heb. 1 1 125. 

i The Lord's ways are ways of pleasantness. Many are not 
Christians, because they. fear they may not have any more pleasure, 
but must live a withered and dried up life. Christ does not with- 
hold any good thing from his own people, but only those things 
which may be harmful to one's own spiritual life, and that of his 



204 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



companions. There are so many good pleasures to have in this life, 
that God's children should not partake of questionable and doubtful 
things. Worldly and sensual pleasures are usually false and deceit- 
ful. An old proverb says, "He buys honey too dear who licks it 
from thorns." The better rule to keep your life out of difficulty is 
to do as Jesus directed, "Follow me," and then you will always be 
safe in choosing your pleasures. A splendid rule to go by is, that 
pleasure must first have the warrant that it is without sin, or that 
which leads into sin; then the measure, that it is without excess. 
Read Luke 19:1 — 10, special verse 8. 



SOLD OUT. 



And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same 
red pottage ; for I am faint : And Jacob said, Sell me this day thv 
birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die : and 
what profit shall this birthright do to me ? And he sold his birth- 




A part of Lead City, S. D. 

right unto Jacob. Gen. 25 130-33. — Then one of the twelve, called 
Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him' unto you? And 
they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. ' Matt. 26 : 
J 4, 15- — An d from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but 
the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not 
Caesar's friend: Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 205 



The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then 
delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they 
took Jesus, and led him away. Jno. 19:12, 15, 16. — For Demas 
hath forsaken me, having* loved this present world, and is departed 
unto Thessalonica. 2 Tim. 4:1c. 

Some years past a man discovered gold in the Black Hills. He 
had labored long and sacrificed the home joys and comforts, and 
had to endure all the hardships that belong to such a life in an un- 
explored region. The homestake mine at Lead City, S. D., is one 
of the richest in the world. It was his. At the present it employs 
3000 men all the time. It has already given to the world $80.- 
oco,ooo, and he sold out for a paltry little sum. Esau sold out 
his right to the rich inheritance for a mess of pottage. Judas 
Iscariot sold his Savior,' and Lord for a few pieces of silver. Pilate 
sold Jesus to the Jews for the mere friendship of a bad king. 
Demas sold out his interest in heaven for a few pleasures of this 
world. Adam and Eve sold their glory for just a bite of an apple. 
Many people are selling their souls to the devil for the sake of a 
few trifling things of this world. It is necessary to sacrifice some 
things here, but it means to gain greater ones in eternity. "He 
that shall endure to the end, shall be saved. Matt. 24:13. — Are 
you selling out your interest in heaven? Read John 11:25.-46, 
special verse 35. 



BACKWARD AND FORWARD. 

One old lady kept a sighing ; 

Said she wasn't young, 
Didn't look as sweet's she used to, 

Times were all unstrung; 
Troubles, doubled aches, and favors 

Went a flying past, 
Wrinkles stung like thorns, and eyesight 

Kept a failing fast. 

One old lady kept a saying 

Life was like the spring;, 
Brighter blossoms always coming, 

Birds around to sing; 
Troubles came — and went ; she let 'em, 

Didn't count the throng. 
Thanked the Lord 'most every morning 

She'd been young so long ! 



lessis M. Shazv 



206 RUBIES AXD DIAMONDS. 



HE'LL UNDERSTAND. 

"In the course of my ministrations," says Rev. J. W. Daw- 
son, "through the slums of London I came upon a sad case, that 
of a woman, the mother of five children, the eldest of whom 
was a girl of nine or ten. 

"The mother at the time the family first came under my 
notice was dying of consumption. The father, a hard working- 
man, was barely able to earn sufficient to supply the meager 
wants of the family, and they Avere often in dire straits. 

"The bulk of the work devolved on the oldest girl, Mary 
by name. Never have I seen the title of 'Little Mother' more 
appropriately earned. She not only had the inalid to care for, 
but the younger children as well, and Mary was often a very 
tired little girl. 

"Mary's duties soon were lightened to a certain extent by 
her mother's death, but made heavier in another by the added 
responsibility of the little family. ,The burden of the children 
and the house was very heavy after the mother had gone. While 
she lived Mary had always felt there was someone to direct and 
guide her, but now she was forced to rely upon herself entirely. 

"Mary's health, none too strong at any time, soon began to 
fail under the great responsibility which had fallen on 
her shoulders. The care of the children, the cooking, the wash- 
ing and ironing, the sweeping and bed-making were too much 
for the little woman's strength. Day by day she failed, fewer 
and fewer became the outings which the lusty baby enjoyed. 
The little fellow soon became too heavy for the thin, weak arms 
of the Tittle mother-,' and it was but seldom that she could muster 
courage and energy enough to carry him down the steep stairs, 
which were his only breathing ground. 

"The day came when even the slightest exertion was im- 
possible for poor Mary and she was forced to depend upon the 
kind services of neighbors as poor as she was herself. Mary 
failed rapidly. She was soon confined to her bed, and then I 
procured the services of one of my 'helpers' who took up Mary's 
work where the 'little mother,' in sheer helplessness, had laid 
it down. 

"On one of my daily visits, as I stood in the doorway, un- 
announced, I heard the murmur of child'islh voices. A little 
friend of Mary's was sitting with her and had been laboriously 
spelling out some verses of the Bible. 

" 'O Maggie!' I heard Mary say. 'Whatever will I say to 
Jesus when I meet him and he asks me why I did not go to 
church and why I did not pray? You know I Was so tired r 
Maggie, so tired, I just couldn't.' 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



207 



" 'Never you mind, Mary/ the other child replied. 'When 
you see Jesus just show him your hands, Mary, and he will 
understand.' 



WORKS OF GOD. 



Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou 
hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward : they cannot be 
reckoned up in order unto thee : if I would declare and speak of 
them, they are more than can be numbered. Ps. 40:5. — Among 
the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord ; neither are there any 
works like unto thy works. Ps. 86:8. — He hath made the earth 
by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and 




hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. Jer. 10:12. — 
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in 
truth. Ps. 33 4. — I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and won- 
derfully made : marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul know- 
eth right well. ,Ps. 139:14. — Unto thee, O God, do we give 
thanks, unto thee do we give thanks : for that thy name is near : 
thy wondrous works declare. Ps. 75:1. — For we are his work- 
manship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath 
before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10. — For 
it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good 
pleasure. Phil. 2 :i3« 

The earth, with her many voices, praises God; Everything 
about this great globe sends its smile back to Him in thanksgiving. 
"Nature," says Novalis, "is an Aeolian harp, a musical instru- 



2o8 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



merit, whose tones are the re-echo of higher strings within us." 
This is beautifully expressed, and true indeed. The Grand Canon 
of the Yellowstone is undoubtedly the most picturesque spot on 
the face of the earth. We are looking down the river to Inspira- 
tion Point, and the Old Canon. At that point the 
sides are almost perpendicular. The sloping walls shown here 
must be nearly one-half mile from the top to the river. The river, 
as it foams, rushes, and dashes, along at a mad rate, seems like a 
blue ribbon laid down there to make the scenic effect more entranc- 
ing. The width is possibly ioo feet to 150 feet. The volcanic 
rock formation called rhyolite has been decomposed by the action 
of the hot water and steam underneath it. The water and steam 
may still be seen spouting out all along the brink of the river of 
the New Canon. The New Canon was made by erosion, or the 
cutting away of this softened rock by the stream of water, aided 
by the elements of rain, frost, and snow. The softer portion has 
been carried down the river, but the harder portions are left stand- 
ing on the sides, and form pinnacles, spires, and domes just as 
though the Creator had planned them, and placed them there, as 
these ornaments are placed upon a cathedral. The balmy pine tree 
is clinging to the rocky edges everywhere. How wonderful the 
richness, and variety of colors ! On other canons, and gorges there 
is the dead dull sameness, but here as a flaming fire. The artist 
stands mute before this scene. The camera and pigments will 
never be able to reproduce it. It would be like a baby trying to 
form the fountains of the deep. The primary colors are red and 
yellow with all their varying shades, intermixed with the browns, 
greys, black, and lavender. Then God's sunshine pouring down 
upon it, and the soft blue sky above make the view, even more en- 
chanting. Words fail to express the beauty and grandeur of it. 
The blending and harmony of the shades of colors seem perfect 
Who would venture to suggest a different arrangement of these? 
In short, it seemed that God had permitted this chasm to rise up, 
and kiss one of his most beautiful ocean sunsets, and then to re- 
turn to earth with all its richness enameled upon its face. I won- 
der what the Psalmist would have said, had he been permitted to 
view this, at once, awful, solemn, beautiful, majestic and sublime 
spectacle of nature. The little blade of grass and the tiny flower 
are magnificent marks of a mighty power not understood by the 
mind of man. All the combined power of the steam engines of 
the world could not bring these out of the ground. What a lone- 
some and empty feeling must an infidel — one who believes nothing, 
— and an agnostic — one who knows nothing about eternity — ex- 
perience in their lives without God. Saint Paul says, That the 
goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Rom. 2 '.4. — Even so, 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



219 



ought the marvellous works of Nature which is all around us, lead 
us back to God. If we could all stand before this wonderful scene 
for a while and ponder over its formation, and then consider too, 
the starry heavens, and the workmanship of the human eye, the 
ear, the hand and the heart, and then think of the soul within us. 
I believe with all these testimonies any one should be drawn to the 
real knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. How many live on 
the husks like the Prodigal son rather than the good? Luke 15: 
18. See pp. 179 to 183 and 228. Read Acts 1:1-12, special verse 8. 



THE BANNERS. 

We rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we 
will set up our banners : the Lord will fulfill all thy petitions. Ps. 
20 :g. — Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may 
be displayed because of the truth. Ps. 60 4. — I am not ashamed of 




the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to 
every one that believeth. Rom. 1:16. — For whosoever shall be 
ashamed of me (Jesus) and of my words of him shall the Son of 
man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory, and in his 
Father's and of the holy angels. Luke 9 '.26. 

It was on a hot summer day in Minneapolis in 1906 that the 
Veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic marched with their 
banners unfurled to the ever soul-stirring music of the fife and 
drum. Many of them were too aged to march when the heat was 
so intense, but the moment they heard the old-time music and saw 
the Stars and Stripes floating in the air they were anxious to 
"fall in." Nothing could keep them out of the ranks even when the 



2io RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



doctors advised against running the risk. One high officer when 
told .that he could not stand so much fatigue, said he would rather 
fall while marching with his flag than anywhere else. He marched 
but was soon overcome, and sank to the earth to rise no more. 
These veterans were not ashamed of their banners which they had 
willingly forty years before offered their lives to uphold and de- 
fend. As these brave old men passed by you so light-hearted and 
cheerful you just felt like "falling in" too, and marching with 
them. I wonder what you have done with your Christian banners. 
Are they unfurled to the w r orld about you? Some quite good peo- 
ple have religion for one hour on the Sabbath and then very care- 
fully fold it up and lay it away for the other 167 hours of the 
week. Some find all manner of excuses to hide it behind. Mr. 
Moody once said, "It is a very solemn thought that God will ex- 
cuse you, if you want to be excused. He does not wish to do it, 
but he will do it." Your excuse for not witnessing for 
Christ before the world ; your failing to be regularly at the church 
services and prayer meeting; your failing to stand for the right 
when among scoffers and mockers of religion as you ought to, is 
the cause of much shame to Christ. 

"Jesus, and shall it ever be, 

A mortal man ashamed of thee? 

Ashamed of thee, whom angels praise, 

Whose glories shine through endless days?" 
Read Daniel 1:8-21, special verse 8. 



THE FLAG. 



Richmond Pearson Hobson said in Brooklyn : "It is a 
good thing for us to be proud of our country because she is 
great, but it is a better thing to be proud of her because she is 
good. You cannot name a navy officer who is not a God-fearing 
man. He is bound to be a God-fearing man. For four years 
every man of them must go to church every Sunday, and every 
fourth Sunday you will hear a clause like this : Tt is enjoined 
upon every officer and enlisted man to attend the service of 
God.' * * * On Sunday morning the bugle will begin to 
blow slowly. That is the call for divine service. Then you 
will see the flag lowered, and another flag go way up in the air. 
Look at this, please. It is a white cross on a blue background. 
You will see the national flag go up slowly and stop just under 
the other flag. This is to me very impressive. There is not 
another flag under heaven, made by the hand of man, that can 
float above our stars and stripes. * j* * You will see that 
glorious flag waving proudly above things of this earth, but you 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



211 



will see it looking up in humility to the flag of the white cross 
above." 



TWO STREAMS. 

But now that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for 
himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. Ps. 4:6, 3.. — 
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 
the Lord knoweth them that are his : and every one that nameth 
the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Tim. 2:19. — Be ye 
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers : for what fellowship 
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion 
hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6 114. — But ye are a chosen gen- 
eration, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people : that 




ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out 
of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Pet. 2 19. — Ye are the salt 
of the earth : but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it 
be salted ? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and 
to be trodden under foot of men. Matt. 5 113. — For many are 
called, but few are chosen. Matt. 22:14. 

The world lieth in the "evil one" says Apostle John. It has 
been and is God's plan to save man from the power of this evil 
one — the devil. Christ came to do the redeeming work. See 
Matt. 1 :2i. — Redeem them from sin and its terrible consequence. 
These then become a peculiar people unto God, standing in different 
relation to him; than the people of the world. (Jno. 17:1, 14). 
Mixed up with the world, but not of the world. A chosen and 
separated people. Sin is very enticing and allures God's people 
into wrong paths. The two cannot possibly keep company very 



212 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



long, until the one or the other has conquered. The Christian has 
gained the sinful one, or the sinful one has stained the life of the 
Christian. You will be known by the company you keep. We 
may gather a lesson on this point from the. above scene. Up in 
the mountains of Japan, near Ashinoyu, are two springs. Where 
the man stands is a small stream of hot sulphur water issuing forth, 
and under the large rock, quite a stream of cold sulphur water flows 
out. If the hot water should flow into the larger cold stream, it 
would soon be overcome. The Japanese keep this little stream Sep- 
arated for a special purpose. Read Matt. 28 — , special verse 19. 



SAM JONES' CONVERSION. 

Sam Jones was once asked how long it took him to get religion. 
"Well" he said, "I was fooling along at it a whole week, but as 
soon as I meant business, I got it right there. J went along a 
whole week a-mourning, an' a-crying, an' a-praying, but at last 
I said, 'Sam Jones, you -will have to give this thing up; you'll have 
to do something more than weeping and praying." I had an idea 
that the more you prayed and the more you cried and the more 
you moaned, 'the more better,' as the darky said, 'you get it when 
you do get it.' Well, as I have said, I kept on a whole week. 
At the end of the week I took a calm, sensible survey of the field, 
and said : 'Sam Jones, you haven't moved an inch. You've 
turned 'around instead of going forward.' And I just stood right 
there and gathered up every sin of my life and threw every one of 
them down in a common pile ; and then I crossed the bridge to the 
other side; and, lest I should return, I stopped and set fire to the 
bridge, and watched the last spark drop into the water and waited 
till I saw the pillars topple to the ground, and it was not fifteen 
minutes till I was in the arms of God, a saved man. If you give 
up your sins, every step you take is toward God ; and as long as you 
keep them in your life, every step you take is toward the devil. 
'What must I do to be saved?' 'Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ.' 'How can I believe?' Repent. If you do repent, you 
cannot keep from believing to save your life." 



RUN NO RISK. 



I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come 
into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. peliver me out 
of the mire, and let me not sink. Ps. 69 :2, 14. He brought me up 
also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my foot 



1 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



213 



upon a rock, and established my goings. Ps. 40:2. — O Lord, I 
know that the way of man is not in himself : it is not in man that 
walketh to direct his steps. Jer. 10:23. — The steps of a good man 
are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his day. Ps. 37 123. 
— Teach me thy. way, O Lord ; I will walk in thy truth : unite my 
heart to fear thy name. Ps. 86:11. — Enter not into the path of 
the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass 
not by it, turn from it, and pass on. But the path of the just 
(righteous) is as the shining light, that shineth more and more 
unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness : they 
know not at what they stumble. Prov. 4:14, 15, 18, 19. 

The scene is just outside of the North entrance to the St. 
Louis Fair, before it was paved. The owner of the wagon left 



, 










T 

1 








-■ /"' ' ■-:■. 


>v ''■■ . .-. .... "■■■' 



the high road and solid ground and attempted to go a doubtful 
way, venturing to cross this muddy place and stuck fast in the 
mire. He managed to get the horse out, but the wagon, — Alas! 
So it is with many beginners in the Christian life as well as many 
older ones. They venture into doubtful, questionable and dan- 
gerous ways — worldly amusements, dances, theaters, card parties, 
reading harmful books and such like, which will in time ruin any 
spiritual life. Jesus said "Watch." Matt. 24:42. Are you like 
this wagon in your spiritual life? Goliath left off his helmet. He 
did not dream that the little pebble in David's hand would harm 
him in the least. He would mock at it, but he lost his life by 
running the risk. These things are the little stones that ruin 
the life. Read 2 Cor. 5 — , special verse 10. 



214 



RUBIES AND D I A M ONDS 



COMMON GROUND. 

The rich and the poor meet together : the Lord is the maker of 
them all. Prov. 22 :2. — Charge them that are rich in this world, 
that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but the 
living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do 
good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing 
to communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation 
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life, t 
Tim. 6:17-19. — Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he 
is exalted : but the rich, in that he is made low : because as the 
flower of the grass he shall pass away. Jas. 1 :g, 10. — Then Peter 
said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. 
Acts 10 134. — For there is no respect of persons with God. Rom. 




2 :n. — For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which 
was lost. Luke 19:10. 

It was a blessed arranged plan that Jesus came to this world 
to save the lost without distinction of person. A soul is a soul to 
him. While there are made distinctions here on earth, yet before 
God all are lost in sin, and need the same divine Savior. The 
prince and his servant, black and white, must be saved on the same 
terms. It is the only common ground. By looking at the three 
women, one would naturally judge that there was no inequality, 
but there is a difference. The one on the right is a Japanese No- 
bleman's daughter, and the others are her servants. The one is 
worth her thousands in money, and the others are dependent on 
her for a living. There is only one door to heaven, and all that 
will enter, must enter by the same door. There is only one com- 



RUBIES AND D I A M ONDS. 



215 



mon ground, and that is at the Cross of Christ. All must meet 
here. Read Acts 16:25-40, special verse 31. 



GRACE AND CHARACTER. 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and lov- 
ing favor rather than silver and gold. Prov. 22 :i. — A good name 
is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the 
day of one's birth. Eccles. 7:1. — That we henceforth be no more 
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of 
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby 




they lie in wait to deceive. Eph. 4 114. — But grow in grace, and in 
the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3 : 
18. — Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye 
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. Jno. 8:31, 
— They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion 
appeareth before God. Ps. 84 7. — But the path of the just is as a 
shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 
Prov. 4:18. — Not as though I had already attained, either were 
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that 
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I 
count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, 
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto 
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3 : 12-14. — ■ 



216 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being 
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of 
God. Col. i :io. — But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto 
his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, 
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. i Pet. 5:10. 

,1 place these two subjects together from the fact that "grace" 
includes the other, and especially is this true in speaking 1 of the 
Christian life. There will be no Christian character, until the grace 
(divine favor) of God through the redeeming work of Jesus has 
begun in the life. Christian character is growing a flower for 
God. Growing in God's favor day by day. Wonderful!! A 
lesson may be gathered from the picture. The Japanese are quite 
proud of their national flower — the chrysanthemum. This man 
and his wife were devoted to them. He first found the soil, and 
then the planting, succeeded by the growing time. It takes time 
for trees, plants, and flowers to grow to maturity. That is not all, 
•for the flowers had to have the proper attention given them. You 
will see how careful they are with them. They will take a soft 
brush, and tenderly brush the leaves on both sides, freeing the plant 
of any insect or any thing that may be injurious to its growth. 
With such care the little flower will develop into a large beautiful 
one. St. Peter exhorts all to "grow in grace," that is in the "di- 
vine favor," and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The heart is the soil, 
and the Word of God is the Seed (Luke 8:11, 12) to be sown in 
the soil, and then this must be watered by the presence of the Holy 
Spirit, and prayer. You will begin a life that will then grow, and 
character will develop until the time of reaping — when the great 
Lord of heaven shall send his angel to pluck it, (the life) and bear it 
hence, and to preserve it to' shew forth his glory of Redemption in 
the ages to come. Eph. 2 :8.^This is the death so called. A tree 
will not only lie as it falls, but it will fall as it leans. The great 
question for all of us is this : Does my soul lean toward God with 
with all its affections, or away from him? Character is made bv 
leaning toward Him. Character is undone, and destroyed by lean- 
ing from God. i Some one has said, "That being of grace must 
go before the increase ; for there is no growth without life, and no 
building without a foundation." "Grace," says Mr. T. Adams, 
"comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world; first a 
dawning; then a light; and then at last the sun in his full bright- 
ness." St. Paul tells us how to grow ; "Study to shew thyself 
approved unto God." '2 Tim. 2 ;i5. — When God makes 3^our char- 
acter, then your reputation will be guarded safely. What kind of a 
flower are you growing for -eternity? Character is what you are, 
and reputation is what people say you are. Reputation is only the 
shell. Character is the kernal. Read John 8;i-i2. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS, 217 



SOLDIERS. 

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his 
(Jesus) head, and they put on a purple robe, and said, Hail, King 
of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Jno. 19:2, 3. 
— Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this 
life that he may please him Who hath chosen him to a soldier. 
2 Tim. 2 13, 4. — Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony 
of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner : but be thou partaker of the 
afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who hath 
saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our 
works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was 
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. 1 :8, 9. — 




Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my 
brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your 
messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Phil. 2 125. 

These are Philippine soldiers marching on the opening day at 
the World's Fair, St. Louis. Willingness, earnestness, obedience ana 
endurance are the faithful marks of the good soldier. Unity is 
their marching note, and they keep perfect step with their com- 
mander. There is no falling out of rank, though they be weary 
and fatigued. Pilate had his soldiers. Jesus now has his sol- 
diers — a wonderful army, scattered over this wide world, whereso- 
ever man is found. Saint Paul tells us that, Our citizenship is in 
heaven. Phil. 3 :20. That is the Christians true home. If he 
will not fight for that what will he fight for? Christ's soldiers 
know but one weapon — the Bible. (Over), 



218 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



Must I be carried to the skies, 
I On flowery beds of ease, 

While others fought to win the prize, 
And sailed through bloody seas? 

Since I must fight if I would reign, 
Increase my courage, Lord! 
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, 
Supported by Thy grace. 
Read Gen. 12:1-5, an d 5 :I_ 7- 



THANKFUL FOR THE TRACKS. 

It is a blessing that we have to do the things today that we 
do not want to do. We may be in sharp rebellion against the 
pressure of the limitations that shut us in and prescribe today's 
duty. So is the locomotive, with its train of cars, in rebellion 
against the narrow, sharply defined rails within which it is set, 
and which curve and turn this way and that, compelling the 
locomotive to follow; it rebels against every turn in the track, 
and would, if it could, jump clear and go straight ahead on its 
own spontaneous, unhindered way. And then it would be glad to 
get back onto the smoother running, even narrowly limited and 
sharply dictatorial track again. For that is the only way by which 
it can reach its goal ; and it is also the way of least wear and tear, 
strain and obstruction. Our own sweet wills, spontaneous and 
uncontrolled, would not make a good substitute for the steel rails 
of duty and environment in which God has set us. These God- 
ordained, lovingly prescribed limitations hold us and insist that we 
shall work by a better plan than our own. Let us be thankful for 
the tracks that mean safety from a ditching. — S\ 5\ Times. 



WHAT TO READ. 

If you have the blues, read the twenty-seventh Psalm. 

If your pocketbook is empty, read the thirty-seventh Psalm. 

Hi you are losing confidence in man, read the thirteenth chapter 
of First Corinthians. 

If people seem unkind, read the fifteenth chapter of St. John. 

If you are discouraged about your work, read the one hun- 
dredth and twenty-sixth Psalm. 

If you find the world growing small and yourself great, read 
the nineteenth Psalm. 

If you cannot have your way in everything, keep silent and 
read the third chapter of St. James. 

If you are all out of sorts, read the twelfth chapter of Hebrews. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



219 



WORKERS. 

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labor, and do all thy work. Ex. 6:8, 9. — But let every man 
prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicings in himself 
alone, and not in another. Gall 6 14. — For we are laborers togeth- 
er with God. 1 Cor. 3 :g. — Seest thou how faith wrought with 
his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Jas. 2:22. — 
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his 
good pleasure. Phil. 2:13. — And let us consider one another to 
provoke unto love and to do good works. Heb.. 10:24. — But whoso 
looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he 
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall 
be blessed in his deed. Jas. 1 125. — I have glorified thee on earth: 




I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Jno. 17 14. — 
For God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love, which ye 
have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the 
saints, and do minister. Heb. 6:10. 

The Christian, is set apart to work in union with God. Jesus 
says, I am the vine and ye are the branches. Jno. 15 15. The vine 
and the branches are really one and must necessarily work together. 
God has commanded his people to work six days and to rest the 
seventh day. It is a special day for meditation on things eternal. 
Doing anything but good, or of real necessity on this day is a posi- 
tive sin. Riotious pleasure is not even permissible. We are work- 
ers together with God for all that makes for good, and for the sal- 
vation of this world. The Japanese are drawing a load of sand up 
the big bluff in Yokohama. In front a woman and a man are pul- 



220 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ling. Two men are pushing behind the cart. As they toil, they 
sing in their peculiar fashion, keeping step with the music. By so 
doing they are able to accomplish their work easier and better. 
That is the manner and spirit in which the people should work, 
particularly the Christian. If there should be no room in front for 
you to pull, do not complain, or be disturbed about it, but just slip 
around to the year and put your shoulder to the wheel and push 
God will see your good work, and will remember it, even if people 
about you do not. It will lighten the burden for some one, and all 
will feel better and happier over it. It would surely be unjust to 
get on to ride, adding more burden. But a good many are 
doing this very thing. The great Apostle admonishes us thus, And 
whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto 
men. Col. 3 '.23. 

"Is the world better or worse where I tread? 
What have I done in the years that are dead? 
What have I left in the way as I passed — 
Foibles to perish, or blessings to last?" 

."Be strong ! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift, 
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. 
Shun not the struggle, face it, 'tis God's gift. 
Be strong, be strong!" — M. D.. Babcock. 



Read Acts 19:13-21, special verse 19. 



"HEARTS AT HAME." 

I've kept the heart at hame, dear, 

Though far afield I've been, 
While seasons went and came, dear, 

Through many a changing scene; 
It had no wish to rove, dear, 

Forevermore the same, 
Bound fast within your love, dear, 

I've kept the heart at hame. 

Ah yes, the world I've seen, dear, 

From zone to zone, but mind, 
What does such seeing mean, dear, 

When hearts are left behind? 
So let the world go by, dear, 

A fig for all its fame! 
For love is best for aye, dear, 

With hearts kept fast at hame. 

— Rose Mills Powers 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



221 



LOVE AND UNITY. 

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? 
why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by 
profaning the covenant of our fathers? Mai. 2:10. — But to us 
there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we 
in him : and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and 
we by him). 1 Cor. 8 :6. — For he (Jesus) is our peace, who hath 
made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition 
between us. Eph. 2:14. — Be kindly afTectioned one to another 
with brotherly love: in honour preferring one another. Rom. 12: 
10. — A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one 
another : as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Jno. 




13 134. — Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity! Ps. 133 :i. 

Christ's great work was to bring man into unity with God, and 
to establish better relations of man with man. Outside of Christ 
every man is for himself. The scene is in a large Japanese hotel 
at Nikko. The room as you see it is about seventy feet long. It 
was on a balmy September day, and the guests all consented to 
remove the paper slide partitions, which divided their rooms, and 
to have all things in common for that time. The first man is hav- 
ing his tea. The next has just come in, and the rest are having 
their breakfast. In the Japanese hotels there are no dining rooms 
as we have them, but each one dines in his own room. The ser- 
vants are sitting on the left side. It is blessed to dwell together in 
unity. In the home and in the church the motto should be "love 
and unity." How sublime the thought of Victor Hugo, when he 



222 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



said, "Life was a flower of which love is the honey." We may 
hammer ice to pieces, but it is still ice ; place it in the sunshine and 
it melts. Under the sunshine of God's love most any trial and 
difficulty will melt away. Read Ephesians 5 — , special verse 6. 



SAM JONES' SAYINGS. 

Many a fellow is praying for rain with his tub wrong side up. 

Repentance is the first conscious movement of the soul from sin 
toward God. 

Let me say to you : If you can't help but one family in town, 
let that be the family which needs the help. I have a profound 
contempt for folks who are always helping those who don't need 
any help. 

Religion is like the measles ; if it goes in on you it will kill you. 
The. trouble with a great many Christians in this city is, religion 
has gone in on them. Keep it broken out on the hands, feet, and 
tongue. 

'Everybody ought to keep good company. There is not an 
angel in heaven that would not be corrupted by the company that 
some of you keep. 

You have no more right to flaunt your diamonds and your rich- 
es in the face of the poor man than you have to shake bread in the 
face of a hungry man and not give him any of it. 



AN EXCELLENT PRESCRIPTION. 

A rather eccentric yet eminent physician was called to attend a 
middle-aged rich lady, who had imaginary ills. After many wise 
inquiries about her symptoms and manner of life, he asked for a 
piece of paper, and wrote down the following prescription : 

'"Do something for somebody." 

In the gravest manner he handed it to the patient and left. 
The doctor heard nothing from the lady for a long time. On 
Christmas morning he was hastily summoned to. the cottage of her 
Irish washerwoman. 

"It's not meself, doctor; it's me wrist that's ailing. Ye see I 
was after going out into the black darkness for a few bits of wood, 
when me foot struck this basket. It stood there like a big mercy 
as it was, full of soft flannel, from Mrs. Walker. She towld me 
that your medicine cured her, doctor. So, if you plaze, to put a 
little of that same on me wrist, I'll be none the worse for me nice 
present." "It's a powerful remedy," said the doctor, gravely. And 
more than once in after years he wrote the prescription : 

"Do something for somebody." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 22$ 

THE TEMPLE. 

i 
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that 
the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord of 
Israel. Ezra 4:1. — (These builders had enemies all about them. 
See same chapter.) One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will 
I seek after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days 
of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in 
his temple. Ps. 27 4. — We have thought of thy loving kindness, 
O God, in the midst of thy temple. Ps. 48.9. — Two men went up 
into the temple to pray : the one a pharisee, and the other a publi- 
can. Luke 18:10. — Know ye not that ye are the temple of God 
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. 1 Cor. 3:16. — And 




what agreement hath the temple of God with idols ? for ye are the 
temple of the living God : as God hath said, I will dwell in them, 
and walk in them : and I will be their God, and they shall be my 
people. 2 Cor. 6:16. — What? know ye not that your body is the 
temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you" which ye have of God, 
and that ye are not your own? 1 Cor. 6:17. 

Asakusa Temple is one of the largest in Japan. It is located 
in the suburb of Asakusa, (Asaksa,) Tokio. To this place the mul- 
titudes go to worship Buddha every day, and every hour of the 
day. The idols on page 65 are located outside the temple gate, 
page 94. It is a superstitious worship indeed. It drew out one's 
sympathy to see the people bowing before the big dumb bronze 
idol inside the temple, having no eyes to see, no ears to hear, and 
no heart to love. The holy doves flit about you, expecting some 



224 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



sort of entertainment in the way of food which is kept for sale by 
women on either side of the pavement. God has truly established 
his house of worship and prayer on earth. You remember that 
Moses built the first tabernacle, and some centuries later Solomon 
erected the first temple. To these places the people all went to 
worship, and God's presence dwelt continually in the division of 
these buildings called the Holy of Holies. No person was per- 
mitted to enter this part, but the High-priest, who did so once a 
year. ^ When Jesus came into the world, he brought in a new dis- 
pensation, virtually a new life, and a better hope was given by him. 
While God's presence dwells in his churches in a certain sense to- 
day, yet in reality this has been changed, so that now the Believer 
becomes the living temple of the living God. His Holy Spirit 
dwells in them after conversion. Do you realize this? Read 
Phillipians 3 — , special verse 10. 



GAVE WHAT SHE HAD. 

Rev. G. Campbell Morgan tells this story : "Some years ago, 
at home, a woman came to me at the close of the Sunday morning 
service, and said : 'Oh, I would give anything to be in this work 
actively and actually. I would give anything to have some living 
part in the work that is going on here next week in winning men 
and women to Christ, but I do not know what to do.' I said, 'My 
sister, are you prepared to give the Master the five loaves and two 
fishes you possess ?' She said, T do not know that I have five loaves 
and two fishes.' I said, 'Have you anything you have used in any 
way specially?' 'No, she did not think she had.' 'Well/ I said. 
'Can you sing?' Her reply was, 'Yes, I sing at home, and I have 
sung before now in an entertainment.' 'Well, now,' I said, 'let us 
put our hand on that. Will you give the Lord your voice for the 
next ten days?' She said, T will.' I shall never forget that Sun- 
day evening. I asked her to sing, and she sang. .She sang the Gos- 
pel message with the voice she had, feeling that it was a poor, worth- 
less thing, and that night there came out of that meeting into the 
inquiry room 1 one man. That man said to me afterwards that it 
was the Gospel song that reached his heart; and from that day to 
this — that is now eleven or twelve years ago — that man has been 
one of the mightiest workers for God in that city and country I 
have ever known. How was it done? A woman gave the Master 
what she had." 



Many doubts are so absurd that the only way to combat them 
is by gentle ridicule. — Spurge on. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



225 



TO MINISTER. 

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but 
to minister, and to* give his life a ransom for many. Matt. 20:28. 
— And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's 
mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and 
the fever left her : and she arose, and ministered unto them. Matt. 
8:14, 15. — There was a certain man in Csesarea called Cornelius, 
a centurion of the band called the Italian, a devout man, and 
one that feared God with all his house, which gave alms to the 
people, and prayed to God alway. And when he looked on him, he 
was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, 
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before 




God. Acts 10: 1, 2. 4. — Make you perfect in every good work to 
do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, 
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Heb. 
13 :2i. — Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you, do ye even to to them : for this is the law and the proph- 
ets. Matt. 7:12. 

There are many blind Japanese. They do not live on charity 
as a rule, but generally provide for themselves when necessity com- 
pels them so to do, without becoming* notorious beggars in the pub- 
lic highway. In the evening, usually about six o'clock you will 
hear a shrill whistle in the street. This is the signal that such one 
is looking for work to gain the next day's rice, as well as doing 
some good in return. The Japanese verily believe in the massage 



226 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 

treatment, especially those who are troubled with rheumatism. They 
are called in, to minister to the afflicted in the manner indicated 
above. The primary work of Jesus was to save people from sin, 
still he ever ministered to their temporal and physical necessities 
also. He feeds the multitude, see Matt. 14:15, and 15:22. By 
a word spoken or a tender touch with his hand he heals the sick. He 
left his disciples an example how to work, and expects of them this 
kindness to each other. The hospitals for the sick should be kept 
up, and good homes for the homeless children, and also for the poor, 
aged and infirm. This is what makes life worth living. Just help 
some one who needs it. 

"If you live for self, you live in vain. 
If you live for Christ, you'll live again." 



WHAT WON KIMURA. 

In. The Missionary World, Kimura, the Japanese Evangelist, 
tells the story of how he was won for Christ. 

"A missionary teacher, a lady, came and got twenty-five Jap- 
anese boys into a class to tell us about Jesus. We had great curios- 
ity to see this foreign lady, and not caring about Jesus, we did care 
to see how everything looked — her dress, her books, her furniture, 
her pictures, but every time she would have us read the Bible. We 
had the Gospel of Luke. Soon we read till we came to the cruci- 
fixion. She could not speak Japanese ; she had the English Bible ; 
we had the Bible in Japanese language. 

"When we read the story of the cross, she got down on her 
knees and prayed for us. We could not understand, but watched 
her close; soon she began to cry; then she fell on her face, weeping 
bitterly. Then twenty-five Japanese boys cried, too. 

"Then inside of three weeks all us twenty-five boys gave our 
hearts to Jesus. She did not reach us through our heads; she 
reached our hearts; and when you have Jesus in your heart, it is 
well. Many of these twenty-five boys_are evangelists and preachers. 
My father kept a wine shop; soon I led him and mother to Jesus, 
and the business was given up. Then I led many more Japanese to 
Christ. It is not so necessary that the missionary have the language 
if she have the love of God for souls in her heart ; that was what won 
me; all because this woman who could not speak our language 
loved our souls." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



227 



FAITHFUL. 

My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 
Num. 12 \J. — O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord pre- 
serveth the faithful. Ps. 31 123. — His lord said unto him, Well 
done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few 
things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into 
the joy of thy Lord. Matt. 25 123. — Moreover it is required in 
stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Cor. 4:2. — And the 




things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the 
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others 
also. 2 Tim. 2 :22. — Fear none of these things which thou shalt 
suffer : behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye 
may be tried : and ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faith- 
ful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev. 2 :io. 

The statue is that of the first Methodist Preacher to the Black 
Hills. He was killed near Deadwood by the Indians, while on his 
way to an out-station to preach the gospel. If we could say with 
Saint Paul, "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the 



228 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord : for whom 
I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, 
that I may win Christ." Phil. 3 :8. — God places his seal of love 
upon the faithful one, standing for his truth in this evil world. 
Sometimes it is difficult to be faithful. Paul exhorts us very time- 
ly, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made 
you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 
Gal. 5:1. — Bishop Home once said, "When men cease to be faith- 
ful to their God, he who expects to find them so to each other will 
be disappointed." Read Philippians 1 — , special verse 20. 



INSPIRATION 



And God spake all these words. Ex. 20:1. — And the Lord 
said unto Moses. Write thou these words. Ex. 34:27. — There- 
fore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, 
and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as 
frontlets between your eyes. Duet. 11 :i8. — All scripture is given 
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 
for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim. 3:16. — 
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man : but holy 
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (Spirit) 
2 Pet. 1 :2i. — God who at sundry times and in divers manners 
spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these 
last days spoken unto us by his Son (Jesus). Heb. 1 :i, 2. — But 
he (Elijah) himself went -a days journey into the wilderness, and 
sat down under a juniper tree : and he requested for himself that 
he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord take away my 
life; for I am no better than the fathers. And the angel of the 
Lord came again 'the second time, and touched him, and said, 
Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he 
said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. 1 
Kings 19:4, 7, 11. — Job, said, Let the day perish wherein I was 
born. Job. 3 :2, 3. — As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee : 
I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of good cour- 
age. Josh. 1:5, 6. — Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not 
dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee : yea, I will 
help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my right- 
eousness. Isa. 41 :io. 

'On the west side of the Grand Canon, Yellowstone Park, 
there are three principal points of view, going north from the 
Lower Falls. The first is Point Lookout, (see pages 181 and 207) 
the second, Grand View and the third, Inspiration Point, which is 
higher than the others. It is about 1500 feet above the river and 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



229 



the others about 1200 feet. These places or points which extend 
out into the Canon, appear to have been designed by Providence 
and left standing there for the visitor to drink in the magnificent 
and almost enchanting spectacle of nature. Here is where one 
may, as the poet Pope said, "Look through nature up to nature's 
God." If you want to get a spiritual uplift, just stand on Point 
Lookout or Grand View. If you want to know and feel how little 
you really are and at the same time be inspired with the goodness, 
mercy and wonders of a mighty God, stand on this Inspiration 
Point. Here you will almost forget, whether you are in the body 
or out of the body. This Point is very applicable to the Scriptures, 
the Old and New Testaments. Here we see the dividing line of 
the Old Canon and New Canon. Looking down the stream, we 









1 


■* 




•ft," - 


w 








. 1 


1 







see the massive and majestic walls of the Old, and looking up the 
river, the eye gleans the wonders and beauties of the New. The 
Scriptures are inspired of God — that is God given. God cannot 
trust man with his Word until he comes to stand on Inspiration 
Point, where he may receive and believe them with all his heart. 
Job became very much discouraged over the loss of almost every 
earthly thing he had, and wished he had never been born. He was 
afflicted in body, too. God was testing his faith. He could not un- 
derstand thy ''Why' of all this. He was even told to curse God 
and die, but in all his misery said, Though he slay me, yet will I 
trust in him. Job. 13:15- — He was blessed abundantly afterward 
for being faithful to God. See Job. Ch. 42. — Even Elijah wanted 
to die. He got discouraged beyond measure, and tried to run 
away from his troubles, his work and his God. The Lord follow- 



230 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS. 



ed him, and treated him very kindly. He thought the world was 
against him, and it was. His best friend was God. He was told 
to get out of the cave, and go, stand upon the Mount before the 
Lord. God spoke to him there, and inspired him to a higher life. 
I presume most of us get into the same fix that good Elijah was 
in, and wish to get away from all the disturbing things of life. 
The Lord will probably find us in a cave sometimes, and will say, 
"What doest thou here?" i Kings 19:13. — "Come, let us reason 
together." Isa. 1 :i8. — He wants to speak to us. He can speak 
away the things that hurt, as the father or mother by a loving, 
word can stop the tears of the child. 

"Speak to my soul dear Jesus, 

Speak in tenderest tones of love." 
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are pos- 
sible to him that believe. And straightway the father of the child 
cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe ; help thou mine un- 
belief. Mark 9 123, 24.— This is how we need to pray, too. 



I am glad there is a depth in the Bible I know nothing about, 
said Mr. Moody; that there is a height there I can not climb to if 
I should live to be as old as Methuselah ; I venture to say if I should 
live for ages on the earth I would only have touched its surface. 

I pity the man who knows all the Bible, for it is a pretty good 
sign he doesn't know himself. A man came to me with what he 
thought was a very difficult passage, and he said : 

"Mr. Moody, how do you explain it?' ' 

I said, "I don't explain it." 

"But how do you interpret it?" 

"I don't interpret it." 

"Well, how do you understand it?" 

"I don't understand it." 

"But what do you do with it?" 

"I don't do anything with it." 

"You don't believe it?" 

"Yes, I believe it. There are lots of things that I believe that 
I do not understand. In the third chapter of John, Christ says to 
Nicodemus, "If you do not understand earthly things, how can you 
understand heavenly things ?' There are a great many things about 
my own body I do not understand; I don't understand nature; it is 
filled with wonderful things I don't comprehend. Then why should 
I expect to know everything spiritually ?" But men ask, "How can 
you prove the Book is inspired?" I answer, "Because it inspires me." 
That is one of the best proofs. It does inspire us. 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



231 



WARFARE. 

And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, 
neither fight ; for I am not among you : lest ye be smitten before 
your enemies. Deut. 1 142. — This charge I commit unto thee, son 
Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, 
that thou by them mightest war a eood warfare. 1 Tim. 1 :i8. — 
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that 
contendeth with thee: they that war against thee shall be as noth- 
ing, and as a thing of nought. Isa. 41 :i2. — No man that warreth 
entangleth himself with the affairs of this life : that he may please 
him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Tim. 2 14. — But if 
it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even 




to fight against God. Acts 5 139. — I therefore so run, not as un- 
certainly, so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. 1 Cor. 9 :26. 
■ — Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto 
thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before 
many witnesses. 1 Tim. 6:12. 

)The Christian life is a real warfare. Warfare means 
soldiers. Soldiers are always disciplined, and live under certain 
rules and regulations, and obey the commands of their officers. 
The Philippine soldiers at the St. Louis Fair are on duty, protect- 
ing and guarding the government officials from being trampled up- 
on by the multitude, so they were formed into line. Every soldier 
of Jesus Christ must be disciplined, obedient and ever ready to 
serve his Master, not with earthly weapons, but with a life of love 
and good will. Sin is the common enemy. (Over.) 



2^2 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



"My soul, be on thy guard, 
Ten thousand foes arise; 

The hosts of sin are pressing hard, 
To draw thee from the skies. 

Fight on. my soul, till death 

Shall bring thee to thy God! 
He'll take thee at thy parting breath, 
Up to His blest abode." 
Read Psalms 15 and 16 — , special verse 1 1. 



NOBLEST OF GOD. 

Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy days may be long 
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Ex. 20:12. 
A little boy hearing a party of gentlemen applauding the remark 1 , 
"An honest man is the noblest work of God,"- boldly said that 
it was not true. Being asked, "What do you think is the noblest 
work of God?" he replied, "My mother." Who could doubt 
that such a boy would make a good man and true? 

Rev. Sam. P. Jones once said : "An angel was sent down 
from heaven one day to bring back the most beautiful thing on 
earth. He hunted long and carefully, saw a bed of full blown 
American beauty roses, lovely beyond compare, and he gathered an 
armful and started to return to his home above. As he soared 
into the air he saw a bady's smile, and filled with the rapturous ad- 
miration at the sight, returned to take it, too. By its side he 
discovered a mother's love, and with all three in his arm, he mounted 
to the place beyond the skies. Just outside the pearly gates the 
Spirit paused for a moment and lo ! the roses had withered and 
were dead, the baby's smile had vanished, but, strong as ever 
the mother's love remained : and he cast the others aside and took 
this and laid it at the Master's feet as the most lovely and lasting 
thing on earth." 



HUMILITY. 



"Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to have no 
trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or 
disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that 
is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest 
when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It 
is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut 
the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a 
deep sea of calmness when all around and above is trouble." 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



233 



THE RESURRECTION. 

I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at 
the latter day upon the earth : And though after my skin worms 
destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God. Job. 19:25, 26. 
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness : I shall be satis- 
fied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Ps. 17:15. — And thou shalt 
be blessed: for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be 
recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14. — Mar- 
vel not at this : for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in 
the graves shall hear his voice (God's) and shall come forth; they 
that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that 
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Jno. 5 '.28, 29. 
Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we (the 




Christians) shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkle of 
an eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead 
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. .1 Cor. 15 : 
51, 52. — For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven ; from 
whence also we look for the Savior Jesus Christ : Who shall change 
our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his (Christ's) 
glorious body. Phil. 3:29, 21 — Blessed and holy is he that hath 
part in the first resurrection : on such the second death hath no 
power. Rev. 20:6. — For second death, see Rev. 21:8, 22:11, and 
Matt. 25 146. — These verses refer to the unchristian. 

There will be the resurrection of the believers (the just) in 
Jesus Christ to receive their reward for the things done while on 
the earth. And also of the unbelievers (the unjust) those 
who have wilfully and deliberately by words and deeds rejected, 
or neglected Jesus to appear personally before God to be judged, 



234 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



and cast from his presence forever. All of them that sleep in the 
dust of the earth shall awake at the resurrection time, some to ever- 
lasting life, and some to shame and everlasting abhorrence — con- 
tempt. [See Dan. 12:2. — Rev. 20:12-15. — The tomb is that of a 
shogun, a great Japanese general, whose grave is said to be over 
twenty feet deep, but all shall come forth from their graves when 
God shall call for them. The casting from) God's presence etern- 
ally is called the second death. The Christian, like Saint Paul 
says, We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the re- 
demption of the body. Rom. 8 132. — He shall be like Christ then. 
Jno .3 :i-2. — What a glorious hope! Read Thes. 1 — /special verse 
2. 



JUST LIKE GOD. 

Little Mary was one morning reading with her mother in the 
New Testament, and this was one of the verses of the chapter : 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life." Jno. 3:16. 

Stopping for a moment in the- reading, the mother asked, 
"Don't you think it is very wonderful?" The child, looking sur- 
prised, replied in the negative. The mother, somewhat astonished, 
repeated the question, to which the little daughter replied, "Why, 
no, mamma. It would be wonderful if it were anybody else; but 
it's just like God." 



REMEMBERED. 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in 
a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua : for I will utterly blot 
out the remembrance of Amelek from under heaven. Ex. 17:14. 
And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Is- 
rael for ever. Josh. 4:7. — Verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Where- 
soever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall 
also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 
Matt. 26:13. — And he — the angel — said unto him — Cornelius — 
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before 
God. Acts 8 '.4.. — By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, 
yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Ps. 137:1. — The right- 
eous shall be an everlasting remembrance. Ps. 112:6. — A book of 
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the 
Lord, and thought upon his name. Mai. 3 :i6. See also Rev. 13 : 
8; 20:12; 21 :27; 20:15. 

(Memorial, remembrance and remembered are words which 
carry sweet fragrance with them when placed on the right side of 
life. We keep in memorial the Fourth of July and Decoration 



RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



Day, for they mean much to us. One day Jesus was in Bethany 
and a woman came and anointed him. It may seem like a very 
little thing, but Jesus said it would be for a memorial of her where- 
ever his gospel should be preached. It has been so kept. It was 
done out of true devotion to her Savior and Lord. The good deeds 
done and the kind words spoken by our loved ones and friends are 
ever before us. We cannot get away from them. This splendid 
scene I found in Milwaukee, and it brings to our mind so much. 
It is a statue of George Washington given by a woman to the city.. 
"To be remembered by what he has done." The woman is direct- 
ing the thought of her little boy to his name. There is much to 
think about. To think of his noble boyhood ; to think of his splen- 
did young manhood; to think of his rugged honesty; to think of 
his bravery as a soldier; and at the same time his kindness and 




gentleness as a man. To think of his solid Christian character, 
and his confidence in the eternal Father when everything seemed 
to be going against him; to think of his love and patriotic spirit for 
his country — to which he would give eight long years of his life 
without asking one penny of pay. He was true to his ideal. He 
stood for liberty in its true sense ; for the home ; for all that was 
good and noble for. the people. He was a great man. As we go 
along through life, and even after we lay down this earthlv life 
down will some one be able to point to our names, remembering a 
kindness shown in some way ? There are a plenty of sham bouquets 
thrown at us you know ; but to have some sincere heart to place a 
little flower upon the grave, saying, "In remembrance of a kindly 
deed." While she points to this great name, yet I would direct 
your thought to a greater NAME — a perfect NAME — JESUS. 



236 RUBIES AND DIAMONDS 



For there is none other name under heaven given among men, 
whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. — To him (Jesus) bear all 
the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in 
him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43. — That at the 
name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue should 
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Phil. 2:10, 11. Lest we forget: REMEMBER that NAME. 



LAST WORDS OF SOME DISTINGUISHED 
PERSONS. 

Emperor Severus : I have seen all things, and all things are 
of little value. 

Emperor Julian the Apostate : O Galilean ! thou hast con- 
quered. 

Horace Mann : When you wish to know what to do, ask 
yourself what Christ would have done in the same circumstances. 
Caesar Borgia : I had provided in the course of my life for 
everything except death, and now, alas ! I am to die, though entire- 
ly unprepared. 

Jean Paul Richter : My beautiful flowers, my lovely flowers. 

Thomas Paine (infidel) : Taking a leap in the dark, oh, 
mystery ! 

Captain Lawrence. Don't give up the ship. 

Franklin : A dying man can do nothing easy. 

Hervey : How thankful I am for death. It is the passage 
to the Lord and Giver of eternal life ! O welcome, ' welcome, 
death! Thou mayest well be reckoned among the treasures of a 
Christian : to live is Christ, to die is gain ! Lord now lettest thou 
thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation! 

Stonewall Jackson : Let us cross over the river and rest 
under the shade of the trees. : 

Martin Luther : Into thy hands I commend my spirit. Thou 
hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 

Alexander Hamilton : Grace. Rich grace. 

Washington : It is well. 

Daniel Webster : I still live. 

Cardinal Beaufort : What ! is there no bribing death ? 

General Braddock : We shall know better how to deal with 
them (Indians) another time. 

Sir Philip Sidney : I would not change my joy for the em- 
pire of the world. 

Thomas Jefferson : I resign my soul to God, and my daugh- 
ter to my country. 

John Wesley : The best of all is, God is with us. 

Frances Willard : How beautiful it is to be with God! 



INDEX. 



Abundance 57 

Act, Result of a kind 70 

Additions 117 

Afflictions 197 

Afraid, Not S6 

Animal, A Noble 109 

Apology. A Handsome 106 

Associates 32 

Attitude, Improper 27 

Backward and Forward 205 

Banners, The . 209 

Barren Place, A 97 

Best. Do Your 42 

Bibles Depth, The 230 

Blessing, A Chance for A 9S 

Blessing, For A S7 

Brakes. The 144 

Bray, Billy 26 

Bridge of Time, The 33 

Burdens 122 

Busy, He Was So US 

Captive and in Prison 129 

Careless 163 

Cares for Tou, He 110 

Cares, Many 167 

Cares, Little 54 

Cave, A 69 

Cure. Simple 16S 

Chair, The Empty 104 

Channel 40 

Cheerful View, A 34 

Children, The 85 

Christ 30 

Christ, Following 30 

Christ is the Clue 10 

Church The 131 

Clothed and Unclothed 127 

Common Ground 214 

Conscience, Hardening 62 

Content. The Philosophy of 166 

Contrast 136 

Courage 170 

Conversion, Sam Jones' 212 

Convicted Him, What 24 

Daily Spin, The 157 

Danger. The 132 

Darkness to Light 139 

Devil, Where Was The 109 

Devil's Slide, The 63 

Difference, A 99 

Division, The 195 



Doorways, The Three 16 

Double Going 34 

Duty, A Neglected S2 

Duty, Your 136 

Enter In 94 

Entrance, The Only 17 

Face, Windows in the 66 

Faces, Two 46 

Failure. Cause of 59 

Faith so 

Faith. Sure 142 

Faithful 227 

Farmers, The Two is 

Father, A Proud ; 150 

Feeling Came Later 114 

Fell, He i 52 

Filled 61 

Fishers 71 

Flag, The 2 1-0 

Followers * 121 

Forgotten, Jack not 96 

Fortress 120 

Foundation, on Strong 132 

Foundation, Sure n 

Free to All 7 

Fruit 133 

Gates, The 53 

Gave Up 98 

Gave What She Had. 224 

Gifts S 3 

Girl That Shone 200 

Give Up, Don't 152 

Giver, The 196 

God, Faithfulness of 96 

God, Justice of 54 

God, The Love of 14 

God, The Mercy of 16 

God, Works of 207 

God. Word of 122 

God's Wife ISO 

Gospel, The 135 

Gospel, The Fifth 196 

Gratitude 19s 

Grace and Character 215 

Grinding 165 

Guide, The 204 

Guide, The Sure 5S 

Half Way Business 47 

Happiness 101 

Heart at Home 220 

Heaven, Where is 9S 

Heavens, The 37 



(INDEX— Continued. ) 



"Hold Fast 26 

Holy Spirit, The 188 

Home 189 

Home, The Real 190 

Honor, An 164 

Hope For Such 46 

Humility and Contentment 173 

Humility 232 

Impossible Effort, An 164 

Idols 65 

Important Step. The 29 

Insincerity 22 

Inspection Day, The 36 

Inspection 228 

Intended, For Whom 70 

Introdutcion, The 39 

Jesus, Love To 156 

Kimura, What Won 226 

Kingdoms, The 91 

Knows, He 74 

Xabor 81 

Leadeth Me, He 103 

Lesson, Impressing A 170 

Xetters • }69 

Liberty Cap 134 

Life, Battles of 115 

Life, Some Turns in 95 

Life, The Christian 179 

Life. The Mission of 42 

Life, The Overcoming 93 

Life, The Transforming Power of . . 50 

Life. A Telling 56 

-Light, The 22 

Light in, Let the 172 

Lightning Bolt, The Why of 90 

Lights, Ye Are 1S7 

Limpy a Chance, Give S8 

Links, The Three 40 

Little But Mighty 105 

Living, Two Kinds of 72 

Looks. Woman's 160 

Love, A Great 150 

Love, Christ's 8 

Love, Wondrous 114 

Love and Unity 221 

Made Clear 10S 

Marked and Sealed 149 

Marvel, A 171 

Material and Spiritual 76 

Minister, To 225 

Monotonous 102 

Moralist, The 124 

Mottoes, Good 178 

Mound, A Little 75 

Nations, All 175 

Noblest of God 232 

Never Mind 154 

New, The 45 

Obedience 113 

Old, The 43 

Out 25 

Opportunities, Blind to 58 



Out of the Little Comes the Greater 145 

Patience 202 

Peace m 

People, Ordinary 102 

People, Peculiar 7S 

Persecution ss 

Pick up as You Go 124 

Pillows, The Three 109 

Philosopher, The 125 

Planted for Others 48 

Pleasures 203 

Potatoes l-jo 

Power, The Motive 177 

Power, Will be Given 176 

Praise 19 

Praised by Dewey, Boy 164 

Prayer 49 

Prayer, Answer to 56 

Prayer, A Pause in 50 

Prayer, A Heart 184 

Prayer in the Pillow 202 

Prescription, An Excellent 222 

Precious 73 

Pride and Vanity 51 

Prepared 107 

Preservation 79 

Promise. Four Wheels of Divine... 106 

Race, Why He Eost The ISO 

Read, What to 21S 

Ready 28 

Reaping 161 

Reconciliation 162 

Religion, Everyday 22 

Remedy, Had Tested The 192 

Remembered 234 

Removed 77 

Resurrection 233 

Resting Place, The 199 

Riches 119 

Right Direction, The 12 

Risk, Run No 212 

Ruler, A Crooked 76 

Sacred Place, A 1S5 

Sam Jones Sayings 222 

Saved 23 

Savior, Her 176 

Scriptures, The 19 

Secret of it, The 38 

Secret Things 6S 

Seek One to Come 138 

Service 133 

Ships 147 

Side, Which 1SS 

Sin, One 44 

Sin, The Toil Of 130 

Sinner, A 126 

Soldiers 217 

Sold Out . ..' 204 

Sowing 159 

Spin, Daily " ! >-f 

Spirit, The Holy 174 

Streams, Two 211 



(INDEX— Continued.) 



Strength 12 

Stronger, The 3 

Suffering, Silent 14 

Sufficient, All 15 

Temple, The 

Thankfulness 9 

Things, Little 15 

Things, Necessary 10 

Throne, The 11 

Time to Think 6 

Time, Improve The . . . . 6 

Time, No 8 

Touch Not 19 

Treasure, His 7 

Trouble, The Cure of 6 

Trust 14 

Truth, The 7 

Tune-up 4 

Unhappiness, The Cause Of IS 

Unknown 1 

Understand, He'll 20 

Wait 19 



2 2 3 



Wait, Not Safe to 24 

Warfare 231 

Warnings, "Unheeded 6 

Wasted 1.1 G 

Water, Living 55 

Way, The 153 

Weapons First 14 

Wheels, Four 10 6 

Wicked, The 143 

Will, Not My 13 

Woman in New York 186 

Woman's Work for Christ 72 

Won't Stay 10 

Words, Last 236 

Word to Parents = . . . . 130 

World, The 151 

World, The Way of the 89 

World vs. The Christian . 31 

Working and Rusting 60 

Workers 219 

Worship 21 

Wouldn't Do ISO 




A&VQGtiLeVtib.6o. 

X MILWAUKEE tt 



JUN 13 1908 



I>6 



IV 



~nO 



fl 



r 



j 



v/ 



